Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer versus Pitt on October 2, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Women's Soccer
vs Pitt
Thursday, October 5
Pittsburgh, Pa.
7 p.m.
Duke University
at
Pittsburgh
Photo by: Duke Athletics
No. 22 Duke Heads North to Face No. 14 Pitt Thursday
10/4/2023 11:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Live Stats l Watch on ACC Network Extra l Twitter l Media Guide l Media Hub l Match Notes
Match 11
#22 Duke (5-3-2, 1-1-2 ACC) at #14 Pittsburgh (9-2-1, 2-1-1)
Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 - 7 PM (ET) - ACC Network Extra
Pittsburgh, Pa. (Ambrose Urbanic Field)
ACC Network Extra Talent: Jason Earle (PXP), Rachael Kriger (Analyst)
NEED TO KNOW
• Duke women's soccer (5-3-2, 1-1-2) closes a two-match road swing Thursday, Oct. 5 as the 22nd-ranked Blue Devils travel to Pittsburgh, Pa., to face 14th-ranked Pittsburgh (9-2-1, 2-1-1) at 7 p.m., inside Ambrose Urbanic Field.
• Thursday's match versus the Panthers will be aired live on ACC Network Extra with Jason Earle (PXP) and Rachael Kriger (Analyst) calling the action.
• Over the last two matches, the Blue Devils have been without four different starters at one point due to injuries -- Emily Royson, Olivia Migli, Baleigh Bruster and Grace Watkins.
• Duke will have a quick turnaround following the Pitt match as the Blue Devils host top-ranked North Carolina Sunday at 4 p.m., live on ACC Network.
• Senior goalkeeper Leah Freeman registered her fourth shutout of the season and 22nd of her impressive career in Duke's 0-0 draw against NC State.
• Over the last two seasons, Duke has lost six student-athletes that have gone on to play in the NWSL.
• Duke welcomed 11 newcomers to the 2023 roster as head coach Robbie Church is in his 23rd season with the Blue Devils.
STORYLINES/OTHER BLUE DEVIL NOTES
• In four road contests this season, Duke has been outscored 5-4, but four of those goals came at Stanford. Over the last three road matches, the Blue Devils have outscored opponents 4-1 and outshot them 45-13.
• Over the last six matches, Duke's defense has totaled a 0.50 goals-against average and notched four shutouts. Leah Freeman owns three shutouts, while Caroline Duffy tallied one in goal.
• Freshman Mia Minestrella made her first collegiate start against NC State and then junior Dieynaba Ndaw made her first start at Virginia. Ndaw also registered her first collegiate goal in the 1-1 draw.
• Kat Rader leads Duke with five goals on the season and she owns 17 over her short career. Since scoring goals in each of the first three matches, Rader has been limited to two goals over the last seven contests.
• In both of Duke's home losses to 24th-ranked Southern California and 10th-ranked Notre Dame, the Blue Devils opened the match with a 1-0 lead.
• Carina Lageyre posted her first two collegiate goals at Boston College in the ACC opener. She went on to be named ACC Offensive Player of the Week as Duke won 2-0 on the road.
• Katie Groff and Devin Lynch have connected for two goals off corner kicks this season (West Virginia and East Carolina).
• Duke scored goals in the first half in the first three games for the first time since the 2017 season. In 2017, the Blue Devils totaled goals in the first half in each of the first seven matches.
• In her first two seasons, when Kat Rader scores, the Blue Devils feature a 12-2-1 ledger. She became just the sixth Blue Devil to register goals in each of her first three matches to start a season.
• Leah Freeman earned a trio of preseason honors -- MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, TopDrawerSoccer Best XI First Team along with United Soccer Coaches Goalkeepers Watch List.
THE SERIES WITH PITTSBURGH
• Duke and Pittsburgh will meet for only the eighth time in school history with the Blue Devils leading the series, 7-0.
• The Blue Devils have posted a 2-0 ledger in matches played in Pittsburgh, but will play there for the first time since 2016.
• Duke features a 22-4 goal differential against the Panthers and haven't allowed a goal in the series since Oct. 22, 2015.
• Head coach Robbie Church owns a 7-0 record against Pitt.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
• Pittsburgh enters the match with a 9-2-1 overall and 2-1-1 ACC ledger.
• The Panthers have yet to be shutout this season scoring 33 goals on 253 shots.
• Sarah Schupansky (8 goals, 5 assists), Amanda West (6 goals, 3 assists) and Samiah Phiri (5 goals, 3 assists) have paced Pitt so far this season.
• At home this season, the Panthers have totaled a 5-0-1 ledger and outscored opponents by a 23-2 margin.
A WIN WOULD...
• Continue Duke's run against Pitt moving the series record to 8-0.
• Give the Blue Devils their first win in October and Duke's second ACC victory.
NDAW'S MAGIC
• They couldn't script it much better for Duke junior Dieynaba Ndaw on Sunday at Virginia as she made her first collegiate start and scored her first collegiate goal along the way.
• Ndaw had played in 17 matches over the last three seasons and was rewarded for her hard work with the start on the road at Virginia.
• She connected on Duke's quickest goal of the second half at the 46:44 mark, off assists from Kat Rader and Maggie Graham.
IN THE LAST MEETING
• Last season, Duke registered a 1-0 victory over 13th-ranked Pitt in Durham.
• Olivia Migli registered the game-winner at the 52:48 mark off assists from Michelle Cooper and Emily Royson.
• Duke and Pitt both had nine shots each, while Ruthie Jones came up with two saves for the Blue Devils in goal.
THE INJURY BUG
• Duke has featured different starting lineups in each of the last three matches due to injuries.
• In the Notre Dame match on Sept. 21, the Blue Devils lost their starting center backs -- Emily Royson and Baleigh Bruster -- to injuries. Both were not on the pitch when the Irish rallied for a pair of goals to win the match.
• Senior Olivia Migli was also lost late in the Notre Dame match with an injury as well.
• All three missed the NC State match on Sept. 24 and are listed as day-to-day.
• Bruster made her return at Virginia and played the full 90 minutes, but Royson and Migli missed their second straight match.
• Senior Grace Watkins also missed the Virginia match due to an injury suffered in practice.
DEFENSE IN ACC PLAY
• Duke's defense has been solid in ACC action even though the Blue Devils have been dealing with injuries on the back line.
• The Blue Devils have allowed only three goals in four matches, which ranks tied for first in the league along with Notre Dame and North Carolina.
• Duke has featured seven different players on the back line -- Elle Piper, Emily Royson, Baleigh Bruster, Nicky Chico, Cameron Roller, Katie Groff and Kati Druzina.
RECENT MATCHES
• Duke's defense has been solid over the last six matches posting four shutouts during that span. The only blemishes were two goals in a span of 1:33 late against Notre Dame, after the Blue Devil defense was depleted with injuries, and one goal at Virginia.
• The Blue Devil defense has limited opponents to only three goals and a 0.50 goals-against average over the last six matches. Duke has outshot opponents, 89-39, in that span. Its opponents have only taken 14 shots in the first half in those contests.
Match 11
#22 Duke (5-3-2, 1-1-2 ACC) at #14 Pittsburgh (9-2-1, 2-1-1)
Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 - 7 PM (ET) - ACC Network Extra
Pittsburgh, Pa. (Ambrose Urbanic Field)
ACC Network Extra Talent: Jason Earle (PXP), Rachael Kriger (Analyst)
NEED TO KNOW
• Duke women's soccer (5-3-2, 1-1-2) closes a two-match road swing Thursday, Oct. 5 as the 22nd-ranked Blue Devils travel to Pittsburgh, Pa., to face 14th-ranked Pittsburgh (9-2-1, 2-1-1) at 7 p.m., inside Ambrose Urbanic Field.
• Thursday's match versus the Panthers will be aired live on ACC Network Extra with Jason Earle (PXP) and Rachael Kriger (Analyst) calling the action.
• Over the last two matches, the Blue Devils have been without four different starters at one point due to injuries -- Emily Royson, Olivia Migli, Baleigh Bruster and Grace Watkins.
• Duke will have a quick turnaround following the Pitt match as the Blue Devils host top-ranked North Carolina Sunday at 4 p.m., live on ACC Network.
• Senior goalkeeper Leah Freeman registered her fourth shutout of the season and 22nd of her impressive career in Duke's 0-0 draw against NC State.
• Over the last two seasons, Duke has lost six student-athletes that have gone on to play in the NWSL.
• Duke welcomed 11 newcomers to the 2023 roster as head coach Robbie Church is in his 23rd season with the Blue Devils.
STORYLINES/OTHER BLUE DEVIL NOTES
• In four road contests this season, Duke has been outscored 5-4, but four of those goals came at Stanford. Over the last three road matches, the Blue Devils have outscored opponents 4-1 and outshot them 45-13.
• Over the last six matches, Duke's defense has totaled a 0.50 goals-against average and notched four shutouts. Leah Freeman owns three shutouts, while Caroline Duffy tallied one in goal.
• Freshman Mia Minestrella made her first collegiate start against NC State and then junior Dieynaba Ndaw made her first start at Virginia. Ndaw also registered her first collegiate goal in the 1-1 draw.
• Kat Rader leads Duke with five goals on the season and she owns 17 over her short career. Since scoring goals in each of the first three matches, Rader has been limited to two goals over the last seven contests.
• In both of Duke's home losses to 24th-ranked Southern California and 10th-ranked Notre Dame, the Blue Devils opened the match with a 1-0 lead.
• Carina Lageyre posted her first two collegiate goals at Boston College in the ACC opener. She went on to be named ACC Offensive Player of the Week as Duke won 2-0 on the road.
• Katie Groff and Devin Lynch have connected for two goals off corner kicks this season (West Virginia and East Carolina).
• Duke scored goals in the first half in the first three games for the first time since the 2017 season. In 2017, the Blue Devils totaled goals in the first half in each of the first seven matches.
• In her first two seasons, when Kat Rader scores, the Blue Devils feature a 12-2-1 ledger. She became just the sixth Blue Devil to register goals in each of her first three matches to start a season.
• Leah Freeman earned a trio of preseason honors -- MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, TopDrawerSoccer Best XI First Team along with United Soccer Coaches Goalkeepers Watch List.
THE SERIES WITH PITTSBURGH
• Duke and Pittsburgh will meet for only the eighth time in school history with the Blue Devils leading the series, 7-0.
• The Blue Devils have posted a 2-0 ledger in matches played in Pittsburgh, but will play there for the first time since 2016.
• Duke features a 22-4 goal differential against the Panthers and haven't allowed a goal in the series since Oct. 22, 2015.
• Head coach Robbie Church owns a 7-0 record against Pitt.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
• Pittsburgh enters the match with a 9-2-1 overall and 2-1-1 ACC ledger.
• The Panthers have yet to be shutout this season scoring 33 goals on 253 shots.
• Sarah Schupansky (8 goals, 5 assists), Amanda West (6 goals, 3 assists) and Samiah Phiri (5 goals, 3 assists) have paced Pitt so far this season.
• At home this season, the Panthers have totaled a 5-0-1 ledger and outscored opponents by a 23-2 margin.
A WIN WOULD...
• Continue Duke's run against Pitt moving the series record to 8-0.
• Give the Blue Devils their first win in October and Duke's second ACC victory.
NDAW'S MAGIC
• They couldn't script it much better for Duke junior Dieynaba Ndaw on Sunday at Virginia as she made her first collegiate start and scored her first collegiate goal along the way.
• Ndaw had played in 17 matches over the last three seasons and was rewarded for her hard work with the start on the road at Virginia.
• She connected on Duke's quickest goal of the second half at the 46:44 mark, off assists from Kat Rader and Maggie Graham.
IN THE LAST MEETING
• Last season, Duke registered a 1-0 victory over 13th-ranked Pitt in Durham.
• Olivia Migli registered the game-winner at the 52:48 mark off assists from Michelle Cooper and Emily Royson.
• Duke and Pitt both had nine shots each, while Ruthie Jones came up with two saves for the Blue Devils in goal.
THE INJURY BUG
• Duke has featured different starting lineups in each of the last three matches due to injuries.
• In the Notre Dame match on Sept. 21, the Blue Devils lost their starting center backs -- Emily Royson and Baleigh Bruster -- to injuries. Both were not on the pitch when the Irish rallied for a pair of goals to win the match.
• Senior Olivia Migli was also lost late in the Notre Dame match with an injury as well.
• All three missed the NC State match on Sept. 24 and are listed as day-to-day.
• Bruster made her return at Virginia and played the full 90 minutes, but Royson and Migli missed their second straight match.
• Senior Grace Watkins also missed the Virginia match due to an injury suffered in practice.
DEFENSE IN ACC PLAY
• Duke's defense has been solid in ACC action even though the Blue Devils have been dealing with injuries on the back line.
• The Blue Devils have allowed only three goals in four matches, which ranks tied for first in the league along with Notre Dame and North Carolina.
• Duke has featured seven different players on the back line -- Elle Piper, Emily Royson, Baleigh Bruster, Nicky Chico, Cameron Roller, Katie Groff and Kati Druzina.
RECENT MATCHES
• Duke's defense has been solid over the last six matches posting four shutouts during that span. The only blemishes were two goals in a span of 1:33 late against Notre Dame, after the Blue Devil defense was depleted with injuries, and one goal at Virginia.
• The Blue Devil defense has limited opponents to only three goals and a 0.50 goals-against average over the last six matches. Duke has outshot opponents, 89-39, in that span. Its opponents have only taken 14 shots in the first half in those contests.
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
M/D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerGK
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
F/M
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's SoccerKieran Hall Postgame Vs. Wake Forest
Thursday, September 25
Kieran Hall Postgame Vs. Notre Dame
Friday, September 19
Kieran Hall Postgame Vs. Miami
Monday, September 15
Kieran Hall Postgame Vs. Virginia
Friday, September 12
