Cold is no deterrent for fans of Duke women’s soccer, who packed Koskinen Stadium to energize their team for the second round of the Big Dance.
The No.1-seeded Blue Devils faced off against No. 8 Texas Tech in the second round of the NCAA tournament Friday night. The first half featured a physical and fast-paced effort by both teams, punctuated by a late Duke goal. The Blue Devils then dominated the second to secure a 3-0 victory.
In the dying minutes of the first period, graduate midfielder Maggie Graham finally gave Duke (16-2-1, 9-0-1 in the ACC) the breakthrough it had been fighting for. The Atlanta, Ga., native intercepted a poorly directed clearance from a Texas Tech defender. Taking a single touch to find her footing, she buried the ball into the bottom right corner to send the home team into halftime with a one-goal lead.
“It means the world to be up at halftime,” Graham said. “I think that brought us so much momentum going into the second half. So it was huge.”
Graham’s goal provided the necessary momentum shift as both teams walked out for the second half of play. The Blue Devils continued applying high pressure as they searched for a second goal to solidify their lead. They found it in the 53rd minute.
Graduate forward Ella Hase drove down the line, passing her defender. She cut in from the left side toward the box and sent a well placed ball directly to the feet of Graham who directed it into the back of the net for her second goal of the evening.
The home crowd erupted with cheers. Some fans were more excited than others, with one throwing his baby in the air to celebrate.
“I think [the home crowd] really brings momentum,” Graham said. “Having a huge sound after big things happen just gives us so much energy and I think that's been huge and so helpful in the two games we've played.”
Duke did not let up its relentless pressure as the half progressed. Minutes later, Graham almost found a hat trick with a strong header that deflected off the crossbar. The Red Raiders (15-4-3, 8-1-2 in the Big 12) found a few windows of opportunity, but nothing Duke goalie Leah Freeman couldn’t handle.
Time wound down, but the Blue Devils weren’t done just yet. Mia Oliaro, battling with a defender, took a shot under pressure from outside the box in the final five minutes. The bouncing ball passed a sea of players and the keeper’s outstretched arms into the bottom left corner. Oliaro’s delivery marks the first time the Red Raiders have given up three goals in a game since 2021.
The Blue Devils began the match by storming out of the gate, creating early chances in the offensive zone and applying high pressure to Texas Tech’s defense. Sophomore Mia Minestrella led the charge, with two early chances in the first three minutes. The Blue Devils dominated much of the first half on the stat sheet, outshooting Texas Tech eight shots to three and maintaining 40% of their possession in the final third.
“We take pride in playing here in Koskinen Stadium,” Church said. “It’s one of the best soccer facilities in the country. We’ve earned the right to play here from the regular season.”
Early breakaways down the flanks by Duke’s offense created challenges for the Red Raiders without much avail. Despite efforts down the wings, Texas Tech’s defense showed up when it needed to, intercepting crosses and deflecting balls out of bounds. This consistent defensive effort held the ball out of the net until the 43rd minute.
As the first half progressed, the Red Raiders began to find their footing. Utilizing their quick wingers, Texas Tech began connecting passes and applying high pressure on the Blue Devils. With the Red Raider’s newfound confidence came greater intensity and physicality, earning the visiting team eight fouls by the end of the first while Duke sat with five.
Duke is set to face No. 5 Michigan State Sunday in the third round of the NCAA tournament. The Blue Devils will look to capitalize on their momentum from the past two games in front of another home crowd.
“344 teams started this journey in August. Now there's only 16 left,” Church said.
Read all about Duke women's soccer's historic 2024 campaign here.
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