Graham, Blue Devils Notch Historic Victory Over No. 2 North Carolina

Thursday, September 5

Durham, N.C.

7 p.m.

Duke University

3-1-1, 0-0-0

North Carolina

6-1-0, 0-0-0

North Carolina

Duke

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Graham, Blue Devils Notch Historic Victory Over No. 2 North Carolina

9/5/2024 9:52:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Church Interview Freeman Interview Graham Interview Photo Gallery

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke women's soccer graduate student Maggie Graham registered a goal late in the first half and the Blue Devil defense was stellar en route to a 1-0 victory over second-ranked North Carolina on Thursday evening at Koskinen Stadium. The win by Duke was the first in program history over the Tar Heels in Durham.

The Blue Devils moved to 3-1 on the season and head coach Robbie Church registered his first win over North Carolina (6-1-0) at home in his final regular season match against the Tar Heels at Koskinen Stadium.

How It Happened

The Blue Devils opened first on the attack in the fifth and ninth minutes with shots off the feet of Ella Hase and Mia Oliaro, which were both saved by UNC keeper Clare Gagne.
North Carolina attempted its first shot of the evening at the 15:02 mark, which was saved by Duke goalkeeper Leah Freeman.
Duke junior Kat Rader left the match at the 25:56 mark due to a lower-body injury and did not return.
Just before the end of the first half, the Blue Devils were able to push through for the first goal of the match as sophomore Cameron Roller sent a long pass to sophomore Mia Minestrella, which bounced off the forward and to the feet of a streaking graduate student Maggie Graham. A product of Atlanta, Ga., Graham drove in and placed the ball inside the right post to beat Gagne for her second tally of the season with 38 seconds remaining in the half.
The goal for Graham was her 10th of her collegiate career.
At the half, both teams had three shots each.
Duke attempted the first four shots of the second half from Roller, graduate student Hannah Bebar, junior Carina Lageyre and junior Devin Lynch.
At the 74:13 mark, UNC's Linda Ullmark blasted a shot that was saved by Freeman to keep the Tar Heels off the board.
North Carolina attempted a pair of shots over the final four minutes, but both were saved by Freeman to preserve the shutout.
For the match, Duke held a 9-6 shot advantage.

Notes

Thursday's match was a non-conference contest as the team teams will play an ACC match on Oct. 31 in Chapel Hill.
Duke held North Carolina to a season-low six shots.The previous low was 19 on two occasions.
For the second straight year, Cameron Roller registered an assist on Duke's lone goal in Durham against North Carolina.
Over the last three matches against UNC, Duke has limited the Tar Heels to only one goal.
Duke goalkeeper Leah Freeman registered a season-high five saves on the night over 90 minutes and posted her 25th career shutout.
The Blue Devils entered the match 0-17-3 in Durham over the history of the series, before claiming the 1-0 victory.
Duke led 1-0 at the half, marking the first time in the series that Duke has led at the half since Oct. 16, 2015 in Chapel Hill as the Blue Devils won 1-0.
It marked the first time Duke led at the half in the series in Durham since Oct. 18, 1999.The Blue Devils led 2-0 at the half and ended up falling, 3-2.
Over the 52 all-time meetings, Duke shutout North Carolina for the seventh time.The last three victories for the Blue Devils against the Tar Heels have been 1-0 ledgers (2024, 2021 and 2015).
Duke featured a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks on the night.
Junior Devin Lynch led Duke with two shots on the night, while seven different Blue Devils totaled one shot each.

OUR BLUE IS BEST! ?????????@DukeWSOC pic.twitter.com/OeVYutdHie
— Duke Athletics (@DukeATHLETICS) September 6, 2024

Quotes

"It is not about me, it is about the team.I wanted the team so bad to win here.We know the history, we have not beat Carolina on this field.We wanted to do that and win.It was just about getting that big win [over a] nationally ranked No. 2 team in the country.We had a great opportunity and just had to take advantage and finish that opportunity. I knew we were going to play really well.They [UNC] were very good also.It was a great win, a great win.I am just very happy for our program going forward."-- Duke head coach Robbie Church
"I don't even think I had any thoughts.Just watching it go into the back of the net was so exciting. It made me so happy. I have been wanting to score against this team since I was a freshman.To have it happen in my fifth year was awesome."-- Duke graduate student Maggie Graham
"I am ecstatic, we are all ecstatic.We are excited to go and celebrate.And again then, a little bit more knowing that it is the first time, but even without it, it is a big win.We worked our butts off on the field tonight.I am happy that it shows that."-- Duke fifth year Leah Freeman

Next Match

Duke will continue its homestand by hosting East Tennessee State on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m., at Koskinen Stadium.

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