One weekend can change it all-something the No. 6 Blue Devils have already learned just two weekends into the season.
After starting the year 1-1, Duke (3-1) came out of last weekend with two top-notch wins, defeating No. 14 American and then-No. 5 Iowa.
Now that the Blue Devils' confidence is sky-high, they have a chance to prove their mettle Saturday at No. 2 Wake Forest (4-0) at 1 p.m. Duke then returns to Williams Field for its first home game of the year Sunday at 1 p.m. against Drexel (4-1).
"We knew we were capable of good things, and last weekend showed us we were capable of great things," Duke head coach Beth Bozman said.
This weekend, the Blue Devils' slate is just as difficult as it was last weekend.
Coming off of big wins against then-No. 1 North Carolina and then-No. 7 James Madison, the undefeated Demon Deacons' confidence is also through the roof. Wake Forest has already beaten the same Iowa squad that Duke just topped, and the Saturday game figures to be Duke's toughest test to date.
"Wake is always very good," sophomore Susan Ferger said. "They are very well-coached. They are going to know exactly where to go and what to do, so we are going to have to execute our game plan."
Sunday's home opener against the Dragons could prove difficult, as well. But the prospects of playing at home after five season-opening road games could be just what the Blue Devils need to rise to the challenge.
The return has made Duke excited to come back to the friendly confines of Williams Field after what was its longest road trip of the season.
"I think it will be an incredible feeling having our home opener," Ferger said. "Hopefully there will be a lot of fans to cheer us on for another big win."
And after edging two elite foes last weekend, the Blue Devils believe they can ride their newfound momentum to two more marquee wins this time around.
"We gradually prepared for this weekend, upping our level of competition each weekend and getting our freshmen experience, and we feel like we're ready," Bozman said.
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