Completed Event: Women's Soccer versus #1 Stanford on December 5, 2025 , Loss , 0, to, 1
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Final
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Photo by: Maria Lysaker/Imagn
Freeman, Rader Make Splash in NWSL
3/23/2026 11:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
DURHAM, N.C. — A pair of Duke women's soccer alumnae had impressive outings over the weekend as Leah Freeman made her National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) debut, while Kat Rader scored and assisted in her second professional contest.
Freeman made her NWSL debut Sunday as she received the start in goal for the San Diego Wave FC against the Utah Royals. A native of Berkeley, California, Freeman helped lead the Wave to a 2-1 victory as she played the full 90 minutes and notched four saves in the win.
Rader started for the second match in a row as the Houston Dash faced Boston Legacy FC on the road. Rader registered an assist in the 59th minute and then scored the third goal for the Dash in the 65th minute as she won the ball near the east sideline. A product of Stuart, Florida, Rader found a teammate and recovered a clearance inside the box to score her first goal as a professional. The 21-year-old is the first rookie to score a goal in the NWSL this season.
Lynch and Lageyre also made their NWSL debuts in the season openers for their respective teams.
Duke features 11 alumnae currently competing in the NWSL in 2026 -- Hannah Bebar (Bay FC), Tess Boade (Bay FC), Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current), Freeman (San Diego Wave FC), Maggie Graham (Houston Dash), Ella Hase (Racing Louisville FC), Carina Lageyre (Angel City FC), Mary Long (Kansas City Current), Devin Lynch (Denver Summit FC), Rader (Houston Dash) and Ella Stevens (Boston Legacy FC).
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWSOC".
#GoDuke
Freeman made her NWSL debut Sunday as she received the start in goal for the San Diego Wave FC against the Utah Royals. A native of Berkeley, California, Freeman helped lead the Wave to a 2-1 victory as she played the full 90 minutes and notched four saves in the win.
Rader started for the second match in a row as the Houston Dash faced Boston Legacy FC on the road. Rader registered an assist in the 59th minute and then scored the third goal for the Dash in the 65th minute as she won the ball near the east sideline. A product of Stuart, Florida, Rader found a teammate and recovered a clearance inside the box to score her first goal as a professional. The 21-year-old is the first rookie to score a goal in the NWSL this season.
Lynch and Lageyre also made their NWSL debuts in the season openers for their respective teams.
Duke features 11 alumnae currently competing in the NWSL in 2026 -- Hannah Bebar (Bay FC), Tess Boade (Bay FC), Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current), Freeman (San Diego Wave FC), Maggie Graham (Houston Dash), Ella Hase (Racing Louisville FC), Carina Lageyre (Angel City FC), Mary Long (Kansas City Current), Devin Lynch (Denver Summit FC), Rader (Houston Dash) and Ella Stevens (Boston Legacy FC).
And THAT'S how you introduce yourself to H-Town, Kat pic.twitter.com/yoIAT1YSNm
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) March 21, 2026
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWSOC".
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
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
