Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer versus #1 Stanford on December 5, 2025 at 8:45 p.m.
Women's Soccer
vs #1 Stanford
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Photo by: (Scott Kinser)
DWS: A Family Built on Unity, Resilience & Winning Spirit
11/7/2024 12:25:00 PM | Women's Soccer
DURHAM, N.C.-- With the ACC Women's Soccer Championship bracket freshly announced, No. 1 seed Duke (14-1-1) stands at the pinnacle of the conference.
Concluding their regular season undefeated for only the third time in program history, the Blue Devils posted a near-perfect 9-0-1 record in ACC play and an impressive 14-1-1 overall ledger.
The team's recent road victories against top-10 opponents showcase not only their skill but also a cohesion and culture that are redefining the program's legacy.
Adding onto this monumental season, graduate student Maggie Graham was named ACC Midfielder of the Year, sophomore Cameron Roller earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year, fifth-year Leah Freeman received ACC Goalkeeper of the Year and head coach Robbie Church was honored as ACC Coach of the Year, giving Duke four of the five major ACC awards.
Graham, Roller, and Freeman were voted to the All-ACC First Team, while Hannah Bebar, Mia Oliaro, and Ella Hase received second-team honors. Duke's six All-ACC selections led the league and marked the program's fourth time with six or more honorees. The Blue Devils now have 116 All-ACC selections, ranking third all-time.
Duke's impressive regular season is not simply a result of talent on the pitch but the product of a close-knit culture that has fostered unwavering support, camaraderie, and mutual respect among players.
Hailing from Harvard, Bebar reflects on her seamless integration into the team, sharing that she felt welcomed from her very first day.
Bebar has been recognized as one of the nation's top midfielders and has been instrumental in Duke's success this season. Starting all 16 matches and logging 1,218 minutes, she has contributed four assists and three goals, bringing her points total to 10. In the final match of the regular season, Bebar registered her first brace as a Blue Devil and fourth of her career leading Duke to a 3-2 win on the road at eighth-ranked North Carolina.
When asked to reflect on this team culture in her first year and transition to becoming a Blue Devil, Bebar reflected:
"This program has a tradition of just bringing in great players who can help new players coming in with the transition. Coming in, it was seamless. From the first day of preseason, I was welcomed onto the team as if I had been here for many years. So, it's a testament to the coaches and the older players for making me feel so welcome."
One of those older players who has been seen as a vital part of the shift in team culture is none other than Graham.
Having been a part of the program since her freshman year, the graduate student has played a crucial role in her time with the Blue Devils.
Duke's 2024 ACC Midfielder of the Year delivered a standout season, including a historic hat trick and school-record-tying seven points on the road at No. 7 Stanford. She also notched a game-winner over No. 2 UNC, marking Duke's first home win against the Tar Heels, and became only the third Blue Devil to score in five straight seasons.
A tri-captain in 2023 and 2024, she's proven her consistency and leadership.
Graham explained that this year's success is rooted in a collective team mentality, with every player embracing their unique role.
"The difference this year is just like the attitude of everyone on the team. I think there's just this group mentality to win, to be successful, to cheer each other on. It's inevitable with the team. If there are 26 girls that some aren't playing, some have different roles than others on the field, that it kind of just creates little divides and I feel like that hasn't happened at all," Graham noted. "I feel like everyone's so happy for each other. When good things happen, we mourn things together, and I think that piece of just togetherness has pushed us where we are."
The team also attributes the team's growth to Wednesday Leadership Meetings from the spring, also named "Classroom Sessions," where every Wednesday, we would have an off day, and we would meet, and we had these books.
These seminars would consist of each week the team would read a chapter of a book, and there were different themes. One of the biggest takeaways spoken about recently was a quote that stated: "Responsible for me, accountable to you."
This offered insight into what the team longed to clean up off the field and make sure they needed to get done.
Fellow graduate student and tri-captain Nicky Chico gave her two cents on the importance of these sessions, though serving as an important leader for the Blue Devils.
"My favorite part of it was that at the end, you could give people shout-outs," said Chico. "Who on your team represents this the most? I think it's just so awesome to hear other people talk about how good you're doing, because you might be having a rough week or a rough month, and it's just nice to have your teammates, every once in a while give you a shout out and make it known the things that you're doing. So we give each other little shout-outs, as we would do anyway, but those are probably the highlights of those classroom sessions."
This forum allowed players to recognize each other's value both on and off the field, building confidence and trust that has translated into their on-field performance.
In addition to the strong support system, the team focused on refining tactical elements like counter-pressing and defending, ensuring that the non-negotiable aspects of their game become second nature.
This meticulous preparation has allowed them to execute consistently during matches, fostering an unbreakable bond of trust in each other's skills and commitment.
Junior Devin Lynch echoed this sentiment, pointing out that Duke's camaraderie off the field has enhanced their joy and performance on it.
"Our team has created such a good culture off the field, which has helped so much we've gotten so close, which makes everything so much more fun," Lynch shared. "But practice and games, I think everyone's just enjoying it and like being there for each other. So it's just been so fun on and off the field for the team."
The Blue Devils' culture of unity and shared goals has proven to be particularly meaningful for Hase, a graduate student who joined Duke this season from Northwestern.
Though her transition came with challenges, she now feels an integral part of the team and admires her teammates' championship mentality.
"Having been a part of a team where everyone has this winning mentality, you just feel it in the practices and especially in the games, and just to have so many people contribute is awesome. It just goes to show the depth of the team, I think the potential of this team is something I've never been a part of and it's really exciting to think that we could compete for a national championship," explained Hase, excitedly.
But, its fifth-year veteran Freeman perhaps summed it up best: "Duke women's soccer is more than just a team; it's a family forged through mutual commitment and earned trust.
"Every single person on this team has a role and everyone has bought into the fact that they have a role," said Freeman. "I've never been a part of a program where you know that and you feel that. Yes, it's been said, but you really see that with this team and you see with the amount that we are laughing and joking and just singing, it's just a team that loves each other, and it's a family. I think family is not inherent to a team. Family is something that's earned and this right here, is family."
As Duke heads into the postseason, this family-oriented ethos will serve as their foundation and its advantage as the No. 1 seeded Blue Devils are set to take in-state rival and No. 4 seeded North Carolina for the third time this season. The matchup is set for Thursday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m., live on ACC Network at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.
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
Concluding their regular season undefeated for only the third time in program history, the Blue Devils posted a near-perfect 9-0-1 record in ACC play and an impressive 14-1-1 overall ledger.
The team's recent road victories against top-10 opponents showcase not only their skill but also a cohesion and culture that are redefining the program's legacy.
Adding onto this monumental season, graduate student Maggie Graham was named ACC Midfielder of the Year, sophomore Cameron Roller earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year, fifth-year Leah Freeman received ACC Goalkeeper of the Year and head coach Robbie Church was honored as ACC Coach of the Year, giving Duke four of the five major ACC awards.
Graham, Roller, and Freeman were voted to the All-ACC First Team, while Hannah Bebar, Mia Oliaro, and Ella Hase received second-team honors. Duke's six All-ACC selections led the league and marked the program's fourth time with six or more honorees. The Blue Devils now have 116 All-ACC selections, ranking third all-time.
Duke's impressive regular season is not simply a result of talent on the pitch but the product of a close-knit culture that has fostered unwavering support, camaraderie, and mutual respect among players.
Hailing from Harvard, Bebar reflects on her seamless integration into the team, sharing that she felt welcomed from her very first day.
Bebar has been recognized as one of the nation's top midfielders and has been instrumental in Duke's success this season. Starting all 16 matches and logging 1,218 minutes, she has contributed four assists and three goals, bringing her points total to 10. In the final match of the regular season, Bebar registered her first brace as a Blue Devil and fourth of her career leading Duke to a 3-2 win on the road at eighth-ranked North Carolina.
When asked to reflect on this team culture in her first year and transition to becoming a Blue Devil, Bebar reflected:
"This program has a tradition of just bringing in great players who can help new players coming in with the transition. Coming in, it was seamless. From the first day of preseason, I was welcomed onto the team as if I had been here for many years. So, it's a testament to the coaches and the older players for making me feel so welcome."
One of those older players who has been seen as a vital part of the shift in team culture is none other than Graham.
Having been a part of the program since her freshman year, the graduate student has played a crucial role in her time with the Blue Devils.
Duke's 2024 ACC Midfielder of the Year delivered a standout season, including a historic hat trick and school-record-tying seven points on the road at No. 7 Stanford. She also notched a game-winner over No. 2 UNC, marking Duke's first home win against the Tar Heels, and became only the third Blue Devil to score in five straight seasons.
A tri-captain in 2023 and 2024, she's proven her consistency and leadership.
Graham explained that this year's success is rooted in a collective team mentality, with every player embracing their unique role.
"The difference this year is just like the attitude of everyone on the team. I think there's just this group mentality to win, to be successful, to cheer each other on. It's inevitable with the team. If there are 26 girls that some aren't playing, some have different roles than others on the field, that it kind of just creates little divides and I feel like that hasn't happened at all," Graham noted. "I feel like everyone's so happy for each other. When good things happen, we mourn things together, and I think that piece of just togetherness has pushed us where we are."
The team also attributes the team's growth to Wednesday Leadership Meetings from the spring, also named "Classroom Sessions," where every Wednesday, we would have an off day, and we would meet, and we had these books.
These seminars would consist of each week the team would read a chapter of a book, and there were different themes. One of the biggest takeaways spoken about recently was a quote that stated: "Responsible for me, accountable to you."
This offered insight into what the team longed to clean up off the field and make sure they needed to get done.
Fellow graduate student and tri-captain Nicky Chico gave her two cents on the importance of these sessions, though serving as an important leader for the Blue Devils.
"My favorite part of it was that at the end, you could give people shout-outs," said Chico. "Who on your team represents this the most? I think it's just so awesome to hear other people talk about how good you're doing, because you might be having a rough week or a rough month, and it's just nice to have your teammates, every once in a while give you a shout out and make it known the things that you're doing. So we give each other little shout-outs, as we would do anyway, but those are probably the highlights of those classroom sessions."
This forum allowed players to recognize each other's value both on and off the field, building confidence and trust that has translated into their on-field performance.
In addition to the strong support system, the team focused on refining tactical elements like counter-pressing and defending, ensuring that the non-negotiable aspects of their game become second nature.
This meticulous preparation has allowed them to execute consistently during matches, fostering an unbreakable bond of trust in each other's skills and commitment.
Junior Devin Lynch echoed this sentiment, pointing out that Duke's camaraderie off the field has enhanced their joy and performance on it.
"Our team has created such a good culture off the field, which has helped so much we've gotten so close, which makes everything so much more fun," Lynch shared. "But practice and games, I think everyone's just enjoying it and like being there for each other. So it's just been so fun on and off the field for the team."
The Blue Devils' culture of unity and shared goals has proven to be particularly meaningful for Hase, a graduate student who joined Duke this season from Northwestern.
Though her transition came with challenges, she now feels an integral part of the team and admires her teammates' championship mentality.
"Having been a part of a team where everyone has this winning mentality, you just feel it in the practices and especially in the games, and just to have so many people contribute is awesome. It just goes to show the depth of the team, I think the potential of this team is something I've never been a part of and it's really exciting to think that we could compete for a national championship," explained Hase, excitedly.
But, its fifth-year veteran Freeman perhaps summed it up best: "Duke women's soccer is more than just a team; it's a family forged through mutual commitment and earned trust.
"Every single person on this team has a role and everyone has bought into the fact that they have a role," said Freeman. "I've never been a part of a program where you know that and you feel that. Yes, it's been said, but you really see that with this team and you see with the amount that we are laughing and joking and just singing, it's just a team that loves each other, and it's a family. I think family is not inherent to a team. Family is something that's earned and this right here, is family."
As Duke heads into the postseason, this family-oriented ethos will serve as their foundation and its advantage as the No. 1 seeded Blue Devils are set to take in-state rival and No. 4 seeded North Carolina for the third time this season. The matchup is set for Thursday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m., live on ACC Network at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.
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
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