Completed Event: Women's Soccer versus #1 Stanford on December 5, 2025 , Loss , 0, to, 1
/
Final
Women's Soccer
0
vs #1 Stanford
1
.png&width=24&height=24&type=webp)
Photo by: Duke Athletics
Graham's Scoring Outburst Has Been Key for Duke's Offensive Success
11/28/2024 9:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
DURHAM, N.C.— Coming off a season where the Duke women's soccer team struggled putting the ball in the back of the net, the Blue Devils needed some players to step up and increase their scoring load in 2024. Since the team walked on the pitch from postseason workouts in November of 2023 to the spring of 2024 and through this season, there has been a different mindset, work ethic, camaraderie and confidence radiating through the Blue Devils.
All this has led to impressive results on the field for Duke.
One of the biggest bright spots of the 2024 campaign has been Maggie Graham, a graduate student from Atlanta, Ga., who owns team-highs in goals (14) and points (33). Graham decided to return for a fifth year with the Blue Devils and has made the most of her final season in Durham.
The midfielder entered the year with eight career goals, 10 assists and 26 points in 79 contests, but has turned an impressive 14 goals, five assists, 33 points and five game-winning goals in 20 matches in 2024.
Graham has turned into one of the best scorers in the nation. She has helped lead No. 1 ranked Duke to the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, its fourth ACC Regular Season crown and an appearance in the NCAA Quarterfinals. The Blue Devils (17-2-1) will be playing Saturday for a chance to head to the NCAA College Cup for the fifth time in program history (1992, 2011, 2015 and 2017).
"I would say there's two things," said Graham on her offensive outburst this season. "I think it's the people around me, half of my goals are tap-ins. They're just from the talent of the people getting the ball in the box to me. The second thing is just confidence. This year I have played with a different mentality of have fun, do whatever you can to help the team win, and do your job. I think that the fact that I've done so well is bringing me more confidence. I've been taking more chances than as a freshman or sophomore. It's just a little bit of confidence I've built up through this season that is helping propel me in the postseason."
In the third contest of the season, Graham buried her first goal against UNC Wilmington in a 4-0 victory at home and then connected on the game-winning tally versus second-ranked North Carolina to give the Blue Devils a 1-0 win at Koskinen Stadium against the Tar Heels. It marked the first victory in Durham against North Carolina in program history.
Duke's top returning scorer from 2023, Kat Rader, went down with a season-ending injury in the match with the Tar Heels. Graham has been one of the Blue Devils to step up and provided the necessary scoring load this year.
Graham went on to score four goals over a span of five games and kept it going during ACC play. She registered just the second hat trick in ACC regular season action in Duke history on the road at seventh-ranked Stanford, scored against Boston College and notched the game-winner at eighth-ranked North Carolina to conclude the regular season.
To open the NCAA Tournament, Graham became the first Blue Devil to register two goals in each of the first two matches against Howard and Texas Tech.
"Maggie has always been a very hard-working player," said Duke head coach Robbie Church. "She's always giving everything she has when she gets in our training sessions, weight sessions, film sessions and games. She's always all in and she's committed. I just think this year for her is confidence. I think early in the year in our preseason game was Furman and obviously the big goal against North Carolina she was able to score some goals and gain that confidence. They were some really nice goals with great composure, well-balanced and she did a good job of finishing. Then as you go forward, especially as you look at fourth and fifth year seniors, you hope these are the players that really lead you in those areas. Maggie has just become very confident that once she gets in a scoring position, she was going to finish it. She has scored different types of goals with her head and with her feet sprinting down the fields. It's been so great to see the development of Maggie. But it all comes back to hard work. It's not been given to her and it's nothing magical. It's just that she's continued to work over the years and give 100 percent of effort in anything that she does, and now it's really paying off. And you know, it's like a lot of things, when the first one goes in, the confidence continues to build."
As the Blue Devils head into the NCAA Quarterfinals, Graham ranks in the top five in the ACC in goals (4th, 14), points (5th, 33) and game-winning goals (2nd, 5). In the national rankings, Graham is 16th in goals, 18th in points and 17th in game-winning goals.
For her efforts this season, Graham was named the ACC Midfielder of the Year and to the All-ACC First Team. With Graham earning All-ACC honors, she joins her sister, Delaney, as family members to be named All-ACC over their career. They are just the ninth sister tandem in league history to earn the distinction. Delaney was a three-time selection during her career (2019, 2020-21, 2022).
Graham has helped boost an offense that has turned in impressive numbers in 2024. The Blue Devils have collected school records in points (212) and assists (78), while equaling the record for goals in a season (67). Nationally, Duke ranks first in assists, third in goals, third in points, second in goal differential (54) and second in scoring offense (3.35).
When the Blue Devils step on the pitch Saturday, Graham is expected to play in her 100th career match becoming just the third Duke student-athlete to play in a 100 contests. She will join her sister Delaney (105) and Mackenzie Pluck (107) as the only others. A model of consistency, Graham has started 42 straight contests at Duke and has her sights set on a first NCAA College Cup appearance of her career.
Duke hosts 12th-ranked Virginia Tech Saturday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m., inside Koskinen Stadium. Don't miss your last chance to watch Graham and the Blue Devils at home in 2024 as they look to continue their magical run.
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
#GoDuke
All this has led to impressive results on the field for Duke.
One of the biggest bright spots of the 2024 campaign has been Maggie Graham, a graduate student from Atlanta, Ga., who owns team-highs in goals (14) and points (33). Graham decided to return for a fifth year with the Blue Devils and has made the most of her final season in Durham.
The midfielder entered the year with eight career goals, 10 assists and 26 points in 79 contests, but has turned an impressive 14 goals, five assists, 33 points and five game-winning goals in 20 matches in 2024.
Graham has turned into one of the best scorers in the nation. She has helped lead No. 1 ranked Duke to the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, its fourth ACC Regular Season crown and an appearance in the NCAA Quarterfinals. The Blue Devils (17-2-1) will be playing Saturday for a chance to head to the NCAA College Cup for the fifth time in program history (1992, 2011, 2015 and 2017).
"I would say there's two things," said Graham on her offensive outburst this season. "I think it's the people around me, half of my goals are tap-ins. They're just from the talent of the people getting the ball in the box to me. The second thing is just confidence. This year I have played with a different mentality of have fun, do whatever you can to help the team win, and do your job. I think that the fact that I've done so well is bringing me more confidence. I've been taking more chances than as a freshman or sophomore. It's just a little bit of confidence I've built up through this season that is helping propel me in the postseason."
In the third contest of the season, Graham buried her first goal against UNC Wilmington in a 4-0 victory at home and then connected on the game-winning tally versus second-ranked North Carolina to give the Blue Devils a 1-0 win at Koskinen Stadium against the Tar Heels. It marked the first victory in Durham against North Carolina in program history.
Duke's top returning scorer from 2023, Kat Rader, went down with a season-ending injury in the match with the Tar Heels. Graham has been one of the Blue Devils to step up and provided the necessary scoring load this year.
Graham went on to score four goals over a span of five games and kept it going during ACC play. She registered just the second hat trick in ACC regular season action in Duke history on the road at seventh-ranked Stanford, scored against Boston College and notched the game-winner at eighth-ranked North Carolina to conclude the regular season.
To open the NCAA Tournament, Graham became the first Blue Devil to register two goals in each of the first two matches against Howard and Texas Tech.
"Maggie has always been a very hard-working player," said Duke head coach Robbie Church. "She's always giving everything she has when she gets in our training sessions, weight sessions, film sessions and games. She's always all in and she's committed. I just think this year for her is confidence. I think early in the year in our preseason game was Furman and obviously the big goal against North Carolina she was able to score some goals and gain that confidence. They were some really nice goals with great composure, well-balanced and she did a good job of finishing. Then as you go forward, especially as you look at fourth and fifth year seniors, you hope these are the players that really lead you in those areas. Maggie has just become very confident that once she gets in a scoring position, she was going to finish it. She has scored different types of goals with her head and with her feet sprinting down the fields. It's been so great to see the development of Maggie. But it all comes back to hard work. It's not been given to her and it's nothing magical. It's just that she's continued to work over the years and give 100 percent of effort in anything that she does, and now it's really paying off. And you know, it's like a lot of things, when the first one goes in, the confidence continues to build."
As the Blue Devils head into the NCAA Quarterfinals, Graham ranks in the top five in the ACC in goals (4th, 14), points (5th, 33) and game-winning goals (2nd, 5). In the national rankings, Graham is 16th in goals, 18th in points and 17th in game-winning goals.
For her efforts this season, Graham was named the ACC Midfielder of the Year and to the All-ACC First Team. With Graham earning All-ACC honors, she joins her sister, Delaney, as family members to be named All-ACC over their career. They are just the ninth sister tandem in league history to earn the distinction. Delaney was a three-time selection during her career (2019, 2020-21, 2022).
Graham has helped boost an offense that has turned in impressive numbers in 2024. The Blue Devils have collected school records in points (212) and assists (78), while equaling the record for goals in a season (67). Nationally, Duke ranks first in assists, third in goals, third in points, second in goal differential (54) and second in scoring offense (3.35).
HIGHLIGHT REEL ?? pic.twitter.com/2Z1AE5DPLd
— Duke Women's Soccer (@DukeWSOC) October 15, 2024
When the Blue Devils step on the pitch Saturday, Graham is expected to play in her 100th career match becoming just the third Duke student-athlete to play in a 100 contests. She will join her sister Delaney (105) and Mackenzie Pluck (107) as the only others. A model of consistency, Graham has started 42 straight contests at Duke and has her sights set on a first NCAA College Cup appearance of her career.
Duke hosts 12th-ranked Virginia Tech Saturday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m., inside Koskinen Stadium. Don't miss your last chance to watch Graham and the Blue Devils at home in 2024 as they look to continue their magical run.
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
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's Soccer
Kieran Hall, Devin Lynch, Kat Rader Postgame Vs. Stanford
Saturday, December 06
Kieran Hall, Kat Rader, and Carina Lageyre Postgame Vs. Washington
Saturday, November 29
Kieran Hall, Cam Roller, and Kat Rader Postgame Vs. Kansas
Monday, November 24
Kieran Hall, Kat Rader, Mia Minestrella Postgame Vs. Elon
Saturday, November 15
