Overview
Duke had an incredibly successful 2024 season, playing some of the best soccer seen in program history and setting a new standard for dominance. The Blue Devils, under the guidance of veteran head coach Robbie Church in his 24th and final season, won the ACC regular-season championship with an undefeated 9-0-1 conference record, finishing the year at 18-3-1 overall. For the first time in 32 years, they were ranked No. 1 entering the NCAA championship.
Duke’s rise to the top was driven by a powerhouse offense that scored 68 goals during the season, an average of 3.09 per game. This effort was led by graduate student Maggie Graham, who scored 14 goals over the course of the season, and sophomore Mia Minestrella, who had 12. Their knack for finding the back of the net was complemented by playmakers Ella Hase and Mia Oliaro, both of whom tallied 13 assists on the season.
Fifth-year goalkeeper Leah Freeman led a steadfast defense, conceding only 16 goals across 22 games. She saved 52 shots with an average save percentage of 76.5%. In the Blue Devils’ 3-3 tie against Notre Dame, Freeman racked up 16 saves. Her command in the penalty box and ability to make critical saves under pressure was a foundation for this team.
Duke’s ability to control possession, capitalize on scoring opportunities and fight through gritty matches was evident from the beginning. Its only loss of the regular season came in its opener against Ohio State — but from that point forward, it was all Duke all the time. Church’s squad showed resilience in tough games, overcoming North Carolina in a 1-0 thriller and coming back to defeat Berkeley 2-1. But it definitely was not all nail biters for the Blue Devils. Duke overwhelmed opponents in most matches, including 7-0 victories against Boston College and Missouri.
The Blue Devils’ remarkable season came to a heartbreaking close in the College Cup, at the hands of the Tar Heels. After narrowly beating North Carolina twice in the regular season, Duke fell to its Tobacco Road rivals in championship play. In the ACC semifinals, the Blue Devils were edged out in a 2-1 loss. At the national stage, Duke was bested by the other blue once again. After defeating Howard, Texas Tech, Michigan State and Virginia Tech, No. 1-seeded Duke’s journey to a national title was derailed by a shocking and emphatic 3-0 loss to the Tar Heels. -Riya Khatod
Best Win: Oct. 31 at North Carolina
Tested against top opponents all season long, the Blue Devils’ best win was a 3-2 victory against then-No. 8 North Carolina. With its two previous matches coming against top 10 teams, finishing the regular season on the road against its toughest rival was no simple task for Church’s squad. Yet, Duke displayed the mental and physical toughness key to ending the regular season on a high note. The matchup called on the composure and talent of the Blue Devil offense.
With the game still tied midway into the first half, it was Harvard transfer Hannah Bebar who found the back of the net for Duke. Then, when a penalty kick was awarded to the Blue Devils early in the second half, it was Bebar who elected to take the kick, extending the Duke lead to 2-0.
When North Carolina’s Olivia Thomas finally put the Tar Heels on the scoresheet, it was none other than North Carolina transfer Mia Oliaro with the response for the Blue Devils. Although the Tar Heels found the back of the net one last time, Duke's three goals were enough to walk out of Chapel Hill victorious. The win for the Blue Devils cemented their first-ever regular-season sweep of the Tar Heels in program history. The game displayed the perseverance and strength Duke played with all season long.
“This is just a mentally and physically really tough group, and as tough as I've ever been associated with,” Church said at the time. “I couldn't be more proud of them.” -Sydney Olin
MVP: Maggie Graham
Returning for one final season under Church, graduate student Maggie Graham left everything on the field. The Atlanta native was central to the Blue Devils’ offensive success in their historic run. Through her previous four years with Duke, Graham amassed eight career goals; in the 2024 season alone, she scored 14. The fifth-year came up in season-defining moments, scoring the game-winning goals in both of the Blue Devils’ wins against North Carolina. More than her offensive prowess, the two-time captain’s impact off the pitch was notable all season long. Graham helped spark the culture of togetherness and strong motivation that made this 2024 team unique. The midfielder has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on Duke women’s soccer. Graham’s 6,499 total minutes and 101 games played illustrate her commitment and love for the program. -Olin
Accolades
In their remarkable season, several Blue Devils racked up individual accolades. As a whole, the team was titled regular-season ACC champions and held on to the No. 1 ranking in women’s college soccer for the last several weeks of the season. Four Blue Devils were named All-Americans, with Graham and Freeman being named to the first team while Bebar and sophomore Cameron Roller earned second-team recognition. Additionally, Duke nearly swept the ACC awards, earning four out of the six major trophies. Graham was named ACC Midfielder of the Year, Freeman received conference Goalkeeper of the Year — making her the only player to win the award in two different conferences — Roller was tabbed ACC Defender of the Year and Church earned his third and final ACC Coach of the Year award.
Graham’s individual recognition for her breakout, final season for Duke did not stop there: The Atlanta native was also a MAC Hermann trophy finalist. This annual award is considered the highest honor a Division I soccer player can receive and was awarded in January to North Carolina's Kate Faasse. With the plethora of awards awarded to them, the Blue Devils have even more with which to remember their outstanding 2024 season. -Elle Chavis
Key departures
The most significant departure for the off-season will undoubtedly be Church, who is retiring after 24 seasons with the Blue Devils and 40 seasons coaching college soccer. In addition to Church, Duke will also lose several key players. Graduate transfers who have made their mark on the team in their one year at Duke, Bebar and Hase, will both leave Durham. Graham, Katie Groff and Nicky Chico also all used their fifth year of eligibility to stay with Duke, and will head out after this year. The Blue Devils also lose ACC Goalkeeper of the Year in Freeman, as her eligibility runs dry as well. The 2025 roster will look different than this season’s, but certainly will not lack talent. Alongside Oliaro and Minestrella, many younger players will have the chance to step up in Kieran Hall’s first season at the helm. -Chavis
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