No. 1 Duke beats No. 7 Stanford women’s soccer in ACC victory

In their first game as the nation’s top-ranked team, No. 1 Duke asserted dominance with a commanding 4-1 win over No. 7 Stanford in a top-10 ACC showdown. This marked Duke’s first-ever victory on Stanford’s home turf, ending the Cardinal’s impressive 34-match home unbeaten streak. Duke became the only team this season to score multiple goals against Stanford, who had previously conceded just five goals all season.

Duke’s captain, Maggie Graham, delivered a standout performance with a hat trick and an assist. Stanford, despite the defeat, showed resilience with 16 shots, eight of them on target, and six corners. Blue Devil goalkeeper Leah Freeman shone in her role, making seven saves, including a crucial penalty kick stop, to fend off the Cardinal’s attack and secure the win.

Stanford’s record in conference play now stands at 3-2-1, with another tough ACC challenge on the horizon as they host No. 2 North Carolina on Sunday. Duke, improving to 5-0 in conference, will take on No. 17 Cal next as they conclude their California road trip.