Good Counsel alumna and Silver Spring native Margaret “Midge” Purce capped off a remarkable comeback season by helping lead Gotham FC to a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit in the NWSL Championship. Purce, who played every minute of the title match, was a major part of Gotham’s run despite suffering a torn ACL just last year.
Purce graduated from Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, where she quickly established herself as one of the state’s most dominant young soccer stars. She was named Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year in 2012 and was an NSCAA All-American in both 2010 and 2011. Her youth résumé also included early national attention: she was selected for the U.S. U-17 team, appearing in the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, and later competed in the 2014 U-20 World Cup.
After high school, Purce attended Harvard University and became one of the program’s most accomplished players, scoring 42 goals in 69 appearances for the Crimson. In 2020, she was elected to Harvard University’s Board of Overseers with the support of the climate-focused alumni group Harvard Forward, further expanding her impact beyond the field.
Purce’s senior national team journey began with her first call-up in 2017, but she didn’t earn her debut until November 2019, when she entered a match as a defender, showcasing her versatility after playing professionally as both a forward and right-back. She went on to score her first USWNT goal against Colombia on January 21, 2021.
Her road to this year’s championship was one of resilience. In March 2024, Purce suffered a season-ending torn ACL, raising questions about her long-term availability. But she returned ahead of schedule, appearing in 11 games this season and playing a crucial role in Gotham’s postseason push. Her 90-minute performance in the championship game helped secure Gotham FC’s title and delivered a storybook ending for one of Montgomery County’s most successful soccer products.
