Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer at #9 UCLA on August 16, 2026 at 9 p.m.
Women's Soccer
at #9 UCLA
.png&width=24&height=24&type=webp)
Photo by: Peter Raider, Duke Athletics
“Better than Yesterday,” Women’s Soccer Embraces a Process-Oriented, Goal-Driven 2026
8/12/2026 12:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
A product of Roswell, Ga., Riley Jackson is in her third season with the North Carolina Courage. Once a Duke women's soccer commit, Jackson signed with the Courage as a 17-year-old in high school. A former No. 1-ranked recruit nationally, she was the 2021-22 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year. Jackson will continue serving as a contributing writer throughout the 2026 season, telling stories about the Duke women's soccer program.
DURHAM, N.C.-- Following an outstanding 2025 season under first-year head coach Kieran Hall, Duke women's soccer is gearing up for a highly anticipated 2026 campaign. The Blue Devils begin the regular season this week with matches on the West Coast against Southern California and ninth-ranked UCLA and look to tackle these early-season challenges with energy, quality and confidence.
Duke's roster combines senior leadership, anchored by Cameron Roller, Mia Minestrella and Mia Oliaro, with a promising freshman class and high-impact additions from the transfer portal. The arrival of midfielder Sam Courtwright (Texas Tech) and forward Katie Shea Collins (South Carolina) bolsters a squad that lost key starters to the professional ranks, several of whom now star on National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) rosters.
After two consecutive College Cup appearances, the group is focused on maintaining its high standards while navigating the expectations that come with playing for such a prestigious program. When asked how the team approaches those expectations, Hall explained:
"We are constantly speaking about standards and expectations. We don't talk about trophies all that much; it just comes with the territory. The type of person that we recruit is not 50/50 soccer and academics; we want people who are 100 percent bought into everything that they do. It takes a different kind of personality here, but it saves us from having to talk about trophies a whole lot. We know that every single play, every day, we need to give our best. Today needs to be better than yesterday and tomorrow needs to be better than today. We are massive believers in the process. If we can be better about how we go about doing the small things, I think there is a strong correlation with winning those larger output goals."
In his second season at the helm, Hall is focused on continuing to build trust within his coaching staff and with his players. Balancing confidence with humility, Hall reflected on the lessons he will carry into his second season from his first year leading the program.
"I learned that both players and coaches, like people, have so much more to offer when given an opportunity to develop," said Hall. "I think on the field, I didn't expect what the freshman class did, but the coaching staff did an unbelievable job helping them. Daily, they rolled up their sleeves, met with the players and gave them direction. I'm happy that there's real clarity from the coaches on working with the players. The players know that they can speak with the coaches and really improve their game and gain insight, and that's just from a soccer perspective."
"I also learned that you cannot solve every issue, so prioritizing what's most important is key. Every day there are 1,000 things on our plate, and it's about combing through all of those and saying, okay, this is really important. This will help us right here, right now, and then push the other things away for the time being. I felt like I had to deal with everything last year, and I just realized you can't, you can't do that. No one can do that."
As a process-driven coach, Hall is extremely focused on player development, both individually and collectively. With 11 former players currently on NWSL rosters, the program has built a strong reputation not only for team success but for individual development as well. Hall hopes to strengthen that tradition by fostering a foundation of trust and mutual respect between coaches and players, creating an environment where everyone can reach their full potential for the benefit of the team.
"So, development is everything," said Hall. "I think the more you feel like you are invested in, the more likely you are to repay that faith. So, we have collective team ideas that we want to develop, and then we must identify everyone's X factors to make sure they can bring them to our environment. We don't want to stifle individualism; we want to promote that, but channel it in the right way so that it is always with the bigger scheme in mind."
After making significant contributions as freshmen during Duke's successful 2025 season, this year's sophomores will play a critical role for the Blue Devils. Hall will also look to maximize the potential of the talented group of incoming freshmen, which includes Sofia Nuñez, Natalie Chudowsky, Rylee McLanahan and Yuna Marui. Hall expressed his anticipation for what they all could bring to the pitch this fall.
"I think they all have the potential to be difference-makers," said Hall. "It's entirely up to them and whether they can earn the minutes and the chance. But I feel like all of them have a good shot and they're all very different."
Senior forward Mia Oliaro reflected on the team's youth and her responsibility as a leader, emphasizing the importance of guiding younger players with confidence, cherishing every moment and leaning on one another when challenges arise.
"We do have a young team, but honestly, I believe that it is the deepest team that we have ever had," said Oliaro. "There are so many opportunities for people to step up, either in roles that they have never played before or a role that our team has not seen before. My part in that is just helping everyone feel confident in what they can do for the team."
Integrating new players into an established program can be challenging, but Hall described the transition for transfers Collins and Courtwright as seamless, a testament not only to their quality as players, but also their character off the pitch.
"I mean, the funny thing is you never really know," said Hall. "You see them when they jump on the transfer portal and you see them as players. You don't know them at all from a personality perspective. But the more we get to know them, the more they are equal, if not even better, humans than they are players. They're both crazy academic, so they fit the vibe of the school. They want to be elite in everything they do and they have such growth mindsets. They're very humble with the way they go about doing things. So, we're excited about both of them, and they've both been doing great."
Senior forward Mia Minestrella expressed her excitement about the new additions to the team:
"They are aligned with how we play and what we want to do. They are super high energy and very talented players."
Minestrella is coming off a phenomenal 2025 season, in which she netted 18 goals, surpassing the 12 she contributed in 2024. While she is eager to continue making an impact on the scoresheet, Minestrella is equally focused on developing other areas of her game as she embraces her vital role as one of the squad's leaders.
"Every season I face different challenges," said Minestrella. "I still have a lot of growing to do as a player and I want to work on those growth areas too rather than solely focusing on scoring goals. It is very important that I continue to grow as an all-around player."
A total of 11 Blue Devils will return to their home state of California for the opening two matches of the season. Watch Duke kick off its 2026 season Wednesday, August 12 at 9 p.m. ET at Southern California, followed by a Sunday, Aug. 16, contest at No. 9 UCLA. The Blue Devils' first home game at Freeman Field at Koskinen Stadium is Thursday, August 20 at 6 p.m, against FIU.
#GoDuke
DURHAM, N.C.-- Following an outstanding 2025 season under first-year head coach Kieran Hall, Duke women's soccer is gearing up for a highly anticipated 2026 campaign. The Blue Devils begin the regular season this week with matches on the West Coast against Southern California and ninth-ranked UCLA and look to tackle these early-season challenges with energy, quality and confidence.
Duke's roster combines senior leadership, anchored by Cameron Roller, Mia Minestrella and Mia Oliaro, with a promising freshman class and high-impact additions from the transfer portal. The arrival of midfielder Sam Courtwright (Texas Tech) and forward Katie Shea Collins (South Carolina) bolsters a squad that lost key starters to the professional ranks, several of whom now star on National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) rosters.
After two consecutive College Cup appearances, the group is focused on maintaining its high standards while navigating the expectations that come with playing for such a prestigious program. When asked how the team approaches those expectations, Hall explained:
"We are constantly speaking about standards and expectations. We don't talk about trophies all that much; it just comes with the territory. The type of person that we recruit is not 50/50 soccer and academics; we want people who are 100 percent bought into everything that they do. It takes a different kind of personality here, but it saves us from having to talk about trophies a whole lot. We know that every single play, every day, we need to give our best. Today needs to be better than yesterday and tomorrow needs to be better than today. We are massive believers in the process. If we can be better about how we go about doing the small things, I think there is a strong correlation with winning those larger output goals."
In his second season at the helm, Hall is focused on continuing to build trust within his coaching staff and with his players. Balancing confidence with humility, Hall reflected on the lessons he will carry into his second season from his first year leading the program.
"I learned that both players and coaches, like people, have so much more to offer when given an opportunity to develop," said Hall. "I think on the field, I didn't expect what the freshman class did, but the coaching staff did an unbelievable job helping them. Daily, they rolled up their sleeves, met with the players and gave them direction. I'm happy that there's real clarity from the coaches on working with the players. The players know that they can speak with the coaches and really improve their game and gain insight, and that's just from a soccer perspective."
"I also learned that you cannot solve every issue, so prioritizing what's most important is key. Every day there are 1,000 things on our plate, and it's about combing through all of those and saying, okay, this is really important. This will help us right here, right now, and then push the other things away for the time being. I felt like I had to deal with everything last year, and I just realized you can't, you can't do that. No one can do that."
As a process-driven coach, Hall is extremely focused on player development, both individually and collectively. With 11 former players currently on NWSL rosters, the program has built a strong reputation not only for team success but for individual development as well. Hall hopes to strengthen that tradition by fostering a foundation of trust and mutual respect between coaches and players, creating an environment where everyone can reach their full potential for the benefit of the team.
"So, development is everything," said Hall. "I think the more you feel like you are invested in, the more likely you are to repay that faith. So, we have collective team ideas that we want to develop, and then we must identify everyone's X factors to make sure they can bring them to our environment. We don't want to stifle individualism; we want to promote that, but channel it in the right way so that it is always with the bigger scheme in mind."
After making significant contributions as freshmen during Duke's successful 2025 season, this year's sophomores will play a critical role for the Blue Devils. Hall will also look to maximize the potential of the talented group of incoming freshmen, which includes Sofia Nuñez, Natalie Chudowsky, Rylee McLanahan and Yuna Marui. Hall expressed his anticipation for what they all could bring to the pitch this fall.
"I think they all have the potential to be difference-makers," said Hall. "It's entirely up to them and whether they can earn the minutes and the chance. But I feel like all of them have a good shot and they're all very different."
Senior forward Mia Oliaro reflected on the team's youth and her responsibility as a leader, emphasizing the importance of guiding younger players with confidence, cherishing every moment and leaning on one another when challenges arise.
"We do have a young team, but honestly, I believe that it is the deepest team that we have ever had," said Oliaro. "There are so many opportunities for people to step up, either in roles that they have never played before or a role that our team has not seen before. My part in that is just helping everyone feel confident in what they can do for the team."
Integrating new players into an established program can be challenging, but Hall described the transition for transfers Collins and Courtwright as seamless, a testament not only to their quality as players, but also their character off the pitch.
"I mean, the funny thing is you never really know," said Hall. "You see them when they jump on the transfer portal and you see them as players. You don't know them at all from a personality perspective. But the more we get to know them, the more they are equal, if not even better, humans than they are players. They're both crazy academic, so they fit the vibe of the school. They want to be elite in everything they do and they have such growth mindsets. They're very humble with the way they go about doing things. So, we're excited about both of them, and they've both been doing great."
Senior forward Mia Minestrella expressed her excitement about the new additions to the team:
"They are aligned with how we play and what we want to do. They are super high energy and very talented players."
Minestrella is coming off a phenomenal 2025 season, in which she netted 18 goals, surpassing the 12 she contributed in 2024. While she is eager to continue making an impact on the scoresheet, Minestrella is equally focused on developing other areas of her game as she embraces her vital role as one of the squad's leaders.
"Every season I face different challenges," said Minestrella. "I still have a lot of growing to do as a player and I want to work on those growth areas too rather than solely focusing on scoring goals. It is very important that I continue to grow as an all-around player."
A total of 11 Blue Devils will return to their home state of California for the opening two matches of the season. Watch Duke kick off its 2026 season Wednesday, August 12 at 9 p.m. ET at Southern California, followed by a Sunday, Aug. 16, contest at No. 9 UCLA. The Blue Devils' first home game at Freeman Field at Koskinen Stadium is Thursday, August 20 at 6 p.m, against FIU.
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
M/D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
F/M
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's SoccerThursday, August 13
Thursday, August 13
Wednesday, August 12
Monday, August 03
