In its first game in history as the No. 1 team of the United Soccer Coaches poll, Duke proved exactly why it should stay there.
The Blue Devils traveled all the way to California for a historic conference victory against No. 7 Stanford, winning 4-1 for their first-ever win at Laird Cagan Stadium and ending the Cardinal’s 34-game unbeaten home record.
Despite being outshot by Stanford 16-13, it was an absolute dominant display by Duke (10-1, 5-0 in the ACC), who led the game from wire to wire. What is more impressive is the fact that Stanford (11-2-1, 3-2-1) boasted one of the best defenses in the country, conceding only five goals in total before being dismantled by the Blue Devils Thursday evening.
“It’s just a real testament to the work these young ladies put in all year long since the first day of preseason,” head coach Robbie Church said. “We’re very proud of them.”
Duke blitzed Stanford just three minutes into the game. The Blue Devils pressured the Cardinal from the kickoff, getting an early corner and maintaining possession in the opponent half. Chaos in the Cardinal’s box allowed graduate midfielder Maggie Graham to tap in the ball from close range after a stunning cross from fifth-year Ella Hase. Despite a video review for a potential offsides penalty, the goal stood as the Blue Devils celebrated their amazing start to the game.
Just fourteen seconds later, Duke scored again.
With Stanford still shocked by the Blue Devils’ fast opening, its defense was quickly exploited. Once again it was Graham who took a brilliant shot that landed in the back of the net, capitalizing on an error from the Cardinal defender who passed the ball straight to her.
“We just really wanted to win this game more than anything as a bit of redemption after last year,” Graham said. “I think it was just such a team effort.”
However, Stanford persevered and managed to pull one goal back after some messy play in Duke’s box. A controversial clearance on the goal line gave Stanford a life line to still stay in the game as both teams headed out for the halftime break.
The Cardinal most certainly had some halftime inspiration as it came out of the break by taking five shots in five minutes. The Blue Devils were unphased as a full team effort from Graham and sophomore Mia Oliaro found junior Devin Lynch in the middle of the box for an unstoppable finish. Duke improved its lead to 3-1 in what was simply a perfect response.
Stanford squandered yet another chance when it missed a golden opportunity to score during the second half. Cardinal freshman Jaden Thomas had dribbled past all of Duke’s defenders with an open-goal chance. However, her shot bounced off the woodwork and was quickly recovered by the Blue Devils.
Duke’s offense is simply special this year. Minutes later, Graham finished a towering header from a Farrah Walters cross to complete her hat trick, cementing her best game in a Duke jersey. The Blue Devil captain now leads the team with eight goals this season, more than last year’s leading scorer Kat Rader managed in the whole 2023 season. On average, this year’s Duke team scores 3.4 goals per game, showcasing an incredible attacking prowess in its speed and relentlessness.
“The ability to create opportunities and then our abilities to finish opportunities has just been at a really high level,” Church said. “To come to a proud program like Stanford and score four goals is phenomenal.”
With less than 20 minutes left of the game, Stanford was awarded a penalty to try to rescue its doomed fate. However, there was just one problem for the Cardinal: The brick wall in Duke’s defense that is goalkeeper Leah Freeman. With already five saves under her belt, Freeman calmly saved the penalty kick as well as the follow-up rebound attempt for a season-high seven. The incredible double save meant that the Blue Devils were able to hold on to their three-goal advantage and win the game outright.
“I think this win means everything to our program,” said Freeman, who hails from Berkeley, Calif. “Every game means so much to us.”
The Blue Devils are on a 10-game winning streak and they are undefeated since the very first game against Ohio State back in August. The team now prepares for the next leg of its California journey against No. 17 Cal Sunday.
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