The Duke women’s soccer team is finally in the win column for 2024.
The Blue Devils (1-1) took down Nebraska (1-2) on the road on Thursday, a 3-0 win headlined by two goals in a nine-minute span during the second half.
Longtime head coach Robbie Church previously revealed that 2024 would be his final season at the program’s helm, but his swan song got off on the wrong foot last week against Ohio State. Despite nearly quadrupling the Buckeyes’ total shots on target (11-3), Duke fell short by a 1-0 margin for an opening loss.
The team refused to allow the same outcome against the Cornhuskers. Duke forward Ella Hase scored the team’s first goal of the season in the 14th minute, one of 10 shots on goal as the Blue Devils continued their offensive onslaught.
However, late in the second half, the dam finally broke. Farrah Walters broke through for the team’s second goal in the 69th minute. Eight minutes later, Mia Minestrella put the game out of reach with another goal, the second of two assists from teammate Mia Oliaro.
DUKE WINS! DUKE WINS! DUKE WINS!
We notch our first win of the season at Nebraska! 😈 pic.twitter.com/9wccjtWVnC
— Duke Women's Soccer (@DukeWSOC) August 23, 2024
With the opening Big Ten road trip now in the rearview mirror, Duke returns to Durham for its next five games. The Blue Devils take the field again next Thursday against UNC Wilmington.