DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA — #2 Duke dominated #4 Washington with a clinical 3-0 victory Friday night, extending its winning streak to four games in the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship. Playing in front of 1,200 fans, the Blue Devils controlled the match with superior possession and finishing, while the fourth-seeded Huskies managed just two shots on goal in a frustrating tournament performance.
Kat Rader opened the scoring in the 35th minute, capitalizing on a setup from Carina Lageyre to give Duke an early advantage. The goal came after a first half where both teams created chances but neither could find the back of the net until Rader's breakthrough. Devin Lynch doubled the lead in the 57th minute with an assist from Mia Minestrella and Jocelyn Travers, putting the match firmly in Duke's control. Mia Minestrella sealed the result in the 81st minute, assisted by Mia Oliaro and Elle Piper, as Washington's defense crumbled down the stretch.
The opening 45 minutes saw Duke probe methodically while Washington struggled to establish rhythm. The Huskies earned multiple corners early but failed to convert their opportunities, with shots from Samiah Shell, Avery Nguyen, and Jadyn Holdenried all going wide. Duke's defense, anchored by Cameron Roller and Elle Piper, remained organized despite Washington's pressure. The Blue Devils' attacking threats came through Kat Rader, whose movement kept the Washington backline honest throughout the half.
After halftime, Duke shifted into a higher gear. The Blue Devils' midfield controlled possession, limiting Washington's ability to build attacks from the back. Mia Minestrella emerged as a constant threat, testing the Washington goalkeeper repeatedly. The Huskies' substitutions—including the removal of Avery Nguyen in the 68th minute—failed to spark any offensive momentum. Washington's best chance came late when Kelsey Branson's shot was blocked, but by then Duke had already put the match beyond reach.
Statistically, the disparity was stark. Duke fired 21 shots compared to Washington's nine, with the Blue Devils converting at a clinical rate. The home side earned 12 corner kicks to Washington's two, a telling indicator of their territorial dominance. Duke's goalkeeper made just two saves, while Washington's keeper was forced into five stops. Duke now plays Stanford on December 5th.