Second-Ranked Duke Wins Ninth Straight; Defeats Louisville, 3-1

Sunday, October 6

Durham, N.C.

1 p.m.

Duke University

9-1-0, 4-0-0

Louisville

6-5-2, 1-4-0

Louisville

Duke

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Second-Ranked Duke Wins Ninth Straight; Defeats Louisville, 3-1

10/6/2024 4:54:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Church Interview Minestrella Interview Photo Gallery

DURHAM, N.C. – On a Sunday afternoon where the second-ranked Duke women's soccer team recognized approximately 30 alumni that were back on campus, they were treated to a 3-1 Blue Devil victory over Louisville at Koskinen Stadium.

Duke received goals from Katie Groff, Mia Minestrella and Maggie Graham on the afternoon as the Blue Devils won their ninth-straight match and scored three or more goals for the sixth-consecutive contest.

The Blue Devils improved to 9-1-0 overall and 4-0-0 in the ACC. Duke opened ACC play 4-0 for only the third time in program history (2017, 1997). The Cardinals dropped to 6-5-2, 1-4-0.

How It Happened

For the first 25 minutes, both teams had a few opportunities, but the defenses were solid early.Duke featured four offsides calls as the Blue Devils tried to get the offense going.
At the 25:41 mark, Duke finally got on the board as graduate student Hannah Bebar sent in a corner kick from the right side.Sophomore Cameron Roller headed the ball a little wide left where fifth year Katie Groff was able to grab the ball, settle and somehow hit the back net from a tough angle.
Just 1:58 later, Duke made it 2-0 as sophomore Mia Oliaro sole the ball from a defender and fed it to the top of the box where sophomore Mia Minestrella beat the Louisville keeper to the ball and flicked it over her head and into the goal.
The Blue Devils added a few other shots, including a pair from freshman Mary Long that were saved.
At the half, Duke held a 9-1 shot advantage with Long and Oliaro leading the way with two.
After sophomore Phoebe Goldthwaite was taken down near the ACC logo on the field, junior Devin Lynch sent in a free kick right in front of the goal where graduate student Maggie Graham beat the Cardinals to the ball and one-timed her fifth goal of the year to put the Blue Devils ahead, 3-0, in the 61st minute.
Louisville added a goal in the 69th minute as Mackenzie Geigle found Brooke Dardano for the tally.
A total of 20 Blue Devils were able to see action in the match.
Duke held a 15-4 advantage in shots with Oliaro posting a team-high four.

Notes

Duke scored a goal in the first half for the ninth-straight match, which is the second-longest streak in program history.
Katie Groff scored for the second time this season and the eighth time of her career.
Mia Minestrella totaled her tied for team-best fifth goal of the season, all coming off the bench. She did not score as a rookie last year.
Devin Lynch has scored or assisted in six consecutive matches.
Maggie Graham totaled her tied for team-best fifth goal of the season. She has five goals over her last eight matches. Graham has scored or assisted in seven out of the last eight contests.
Graham and Minestrella have scored four of their five goals at home this season.
Duke improved to 7-0 at home in 2024 and has outscored opponents by a 26-2 ledger.
The Blue Devils' nine-match winning streak is the second-longest in program history.

Quotes

"Louisville, as you saw, is a very tough team. They play hard and they compete all the time. So, it was great. I thought we were in control and we rested some people to. We went deep into our bench, and I thought they played really, really well. I was excited about the girls that came out and played. So, it's nice that we got the three (points), but we have six games left, four of them on the road and two at home, which is crazy. Our focus now shifts to the west coast, it shifts to Stanford, and it shifts to Cal on Sunday. It's a great opportunity to go out and showcase our team and that's what we're going to use to showcase our team and go out and really show the level of play that we been producing."-- Duke head coach Robbie Church
"Yeah, I think it's just the culture that we've created, starting from the coaches and trickling into us. I think everyone is so close and so supportive and so in tune with what we want to do, and, I think we're all on the same page and always looking for the next game, how to get better, how to stay humble and just keep working towards the next game and just building off of each game."-- Duke sophomore Mia Minestrella on the winning streak by Duke

Next Match

Duke hits the road for a pair of ACC contests in the state California.The Blue Devils will face Stanford on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 10 p.m. (ET), followed by a match at California on Sunday, oct. 13 at 4 p.m.

To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWSOC".

Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu

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