Blue Devils Advance to NCAA Quarterfinals with 2-0 Win Versus Kansas

Sunday, November 23

Durham, N.C.

2 p.m.

Duke University

16-4-1, 7-3-0

Kansas

16-6-3, 6-4-1

Kansas

Duke

Photo by: Peter Raider, Duke Athletics

Blue Devils Advance to NCAA Quarterfinals with 2-0 Win Versus Kansas

11/23/2025 6:09:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery NCAA Bracket Roller, Hall & Rader Interview

DURHAM, N.C. – For the 11th time out of the last 15 years, the Duke women's soccer team is heading to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament as the second-seeded and 11th-ranked Blue Devils defeated third-seeded Kansas, 2-0, Sunday afternoon on Freeman Field at Koskinen Stadium.

The Blue Devils received goals from junior Mia Minestrella and redshirt junior Kat Rader, while Duke collected its third consecutive shutout in NCAA Tournament action.

Duke will next host a NCAA Quarterfinal match against fourth-seeded and 13th-ranked Washington Friday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m.

How It Happened

The Blue Devils had a great counter-attack chance just 1:22 of the match as freshman Avery Oder drove down the left side of the pitch into the box, but her shot slid just past the far post.
Duke's defense withstood a Jayhawk offensive attack that featured four shots and five corner kicks over a span of 12 minutes.
Oder had another chance at the 33:42 mark but Kansas keeper made a diving stop to keep the Blue Devils off the board.
Redshirt junior Kat Rader then had a couple of opportunities within a span of less than two minutes, but one was saved and the other went wide.
Duke was able to get on the board, 1-0, at the 36:52 mark as Oder drove into the left side of the box and crossed a ball into the box that went off a Jayhawk defender to Rader.A product of Stuart, Florida, Rader passed to a wide-open junior Mia Minestrella, who finished into the far-right corner from 15 yards out.
Minestrella, who is from Redondo Beach, California, scored Duke's fifth goal of the 2025 NCAA Tournament and the ninth of her career in NCAA play.The nine NCAA goals are now tied for the Blue Devils record along with Kaitlyn Kerr (2010-13).
Kansas had a late chance, but the attempt by Kate Langfelder went high.
At the end of the first half, the Blue Devils held a 7-6 shot advantage with two attempts by Rader, Oder and junior Mia Oliaro.
At the 46:52 mark, Duke went ahead 2-0, after senior Devin Lynch was taken down in the box and the Blue Devils were awarded a penalty kick.
Rader stepped up and struck the shot that was saved by Kansas keeper Sophie Dawe, but Rader was there to finish the rebound.
Duke held a 6-3 shot advantage in the second half and a 13-9 clip for the match.Rader totaled

Notes

Duke scored in the first half for the eighth match in a row and a total of 15 times this season.
Mia Minestrella scored the fifth goal in a row in NCAA Tournament play for Duke with her first half tally.
Minestrella's 20 points over her career in NCAA Tournament play ranks tied for first on Duke's career charts along with Kerr.
With her goal, Minestrella now owns nine career game-winning tallies to rank tied for 13^th on Duke's record books and she has seven on the season, which ranks third on the Blue Devil single season charts.
Kat Rader totaled a goal or assist in her 16th out of her 20 matches on the year.
Rader notched her 31st career goal to move into a tie for seventh on Duke's all-time charts.With her three points on the day, Rader is now tied for seventh on Duke's all-time points list (82).
Rader's 12 assists on the year ranks tied for fifth on Duke's single-season charts.
The Blue Devils now own 11 shutouts as a team, while Caroline Dysart has tallied nine.She had two saves over 90 minutes Sunday.
In seven career NCAA Tournament matches, Rader now owns two goals and six assists
Duke won its 24th out of the last 27 home contests.
Duke's 12 wins at home now ranks tied for third-most in program history.
The Blue Devils moved to 7-0-1 in the round of 16 matches in Durham.
Duke is now 35-3-1 all-time in NCAA Tournament matches in Durham.

Next Match

Duke hosts fourth-seeded Washington in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament Friday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m.The match will be aired live on ESPN+.

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

#GoDuke

Duke Quotes

Duke Head Coach: Kieran Hall

Opening Statement
"It was a challenging game, exactly what we expected in terms of how competitive it was. I think they're a really good team. Their energy and their spirit were really evident from the first minutes and gave us a lot of challenges that we haven't faced too often this season. So, we had to adapt. I am so proud of this team, no doubt about it. The fact that we had to adapt on the fly, had to adapt to the style of play, a little forward thinking or playing direct at times. But the way we competed, the way we handled the momentum of the game, just shows that we can handle all different kinds of challenges."

On Mia Minestrella and her five goals in 3 games:
"They were getting some momentum and things like that, so that was really important for us to go in with a lead for sure. I think it was just a team effort, making sure that we could withstand what was being thrown at us but still be able to transition out."

Junior Cameron Roller

On playing a team that's so dominant on offense:
"I would say we stick to our identity, I think in the moments down the stretch there's not a lot of support for you, and I think that we've learned a lot throughout the season. Obviously, it is a really young backline, but I've been so proud and honored to get to lead them. They're so coachable, they want to learn and they're hungry and I think that's really important. Just because they're fresh to the game that doesn't mean anything– they've proven that time and time again. Like Lexi coming off the bench for Elle, I think she did a phenomenal job. So I think that we're making sure we keep each other accountable. Yeah, I mean, they've been incredible. You can see massive growth. It was a time of the season where we have things to work on, and what you see now is just the fruits of that. They went to work, and you see a bunch of young players that are really taking on the details and performing well, getting the clean sheets that we've been working towards, and we're really pleased with that. But yeah, couldn't be more proud of these guys."

On getting through Kansas' four shots and five corners:
"In terms of practice, we practice this every day. We talk a lot about all of our mentality. So regardless of how many corners they hit, we know that we're going to get it out of the box. We're going to win it. And we're the first and second contact. And I think that shows you that we can do that."

Redshirt Junior Kat Rader

On the first goal and it's importance:
"My back was to goal, and I think I had two defenders on me, so I knew [Mia] definitely had a better shot. And she's been really hot in front of goal lately, so giving her that shot and, yeah, great finish from her. It was really important to get the lead the first half of the game."

On the rebounded penalty kick:
"On penalty kicks, you get an issue of when it comes back. Yeah, I kind of forget the rule of if I could score that or not, and I feel like in game moments, I'm always trying to have rebounds off other people's shots, or my own shots, so that was kind of instinctual. Obviously would have liked to have scored right off the bat, but yeah, happy I got the rebound."

On what's written on Kat's arm:
"This just says "energy" which is a great thing we talk about, especially, on defense – like to be loud and bring energy. And then 'be here.' I feel like being a senior is just trying to live in the moment and make sure I'm just present in every moment and be where you are."