Blue Devils Fall, 3-2, Against Wake Forest Thursday

Thursday, September 25

Durham, N.C.

7 p.m.

Duke University

6-3-1, 1-3-0

Wake Forest

9-1-2, 3-0-1

Wake Forest

Duke

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Blue Devils Fall, 3-2, Against Wake Forest Thursday

9/25/2025 10:12:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Kieran Hall Interview

DURHAM, N.C. – The ninth-ranked Duke women's soccer team took a 2-1 lead in the second half, but allowed two unanswered goals and dropped a 3-2 decision to 18th-ranked Wake Forest at home inside Koskinen Stadium Thursday evening.

The Blue Devils received second half goals from Kat Rader and Julia Saunicheva, but dropped to 6-3-1 overall and 1-3-0 in the ACC. Wake Forest improved to 9-1-2, 3-0-1. Duke had its 18-match unbeaten streak at home end on the night.

How It Happened

Wake Forest featured the first shot of the match, but the Blue Devils came back and attempted the next six.Duke's best chance came off the foot of junior defender Cameron Roller, but it was saved by Demon Deacon keeper Valentina Amaral.
At the 20:06 mark, Wake Forest got on the board as Duke failed the clear the ball and the Demon Deacons took advantage as Kylie Maxwell finished inside the right post.
Duke held a 9-4 lead in shots in the half with freshman Avery Oder leading the charge with a game-high three.
The Blue Devils had six corner kicks in the first half and four offsides.
Duke came out on the attack in the second half.Redshirt junior Kat Rader nearly scored at the 46:21 mark, but her free kick from 20 yards went barley wide right.
A little over a minute later, Rader finished a pass from junior Mia Oliaro off a free kick to level the score, 1-1.Oliaro was fouled twice to create the free kick opportunities for the Blue Devils.
Duke had a great opportunity at the 60:27 mark as Oder played a perfect cross that went in front of the goal where Oliaro's shot went wide right.
The Blue Devils thought they took the lead less than a minute later as Mia Minestrella scored, but the referee went to review and it was called offside.
Duke finally pushed through and took a 2-1 lead in the 65th minute.Oliaro, who is from Chapel Hill, served a corner kick that went off senior Devin Lynch's shoulder and senior Julia Saunicheva headed in her first goal of the season and second of her collegiate career.
Wake Forest evened the ledger, 2-2, in the 69th minute as Alex Wood got behind the defense and finished a cross from Sierra Sythe.
The Demon Deacons then regained the lead, 3-2, at the 71:03 mark as Hannah Johnson finished a wide-open goal.
The Blue Devils attempted three shots over the final 19 minutes, but couldn't get the equalizer.
For the match, Duke had an 18-8 advantage in shots with Rader and Oder attempting four each.

Notes

Redshirt freshman Lauren Martinho made her second career start and the first since the season opener against 11th-ranked Penn State.
Kat Rader registered her seventh goal of the season and 27th of her career. She has scored in back-to-back games for the first time this season.
Mia Oliaro recorded her fourth and fifth assist of the season and 19th of her career.
Duke's goal at the 47:38 mark was the quickest goal of the season to open the second half.
Julia Saunicheva came in at the 63:23 mark and scored at the 64:36 ledger.
Last season, Oliaro registered two goals against Wake Forest and she logged two assists on the night Thursday.
Duke lost at home for the first time since Oct. 22, 2023 against Florida State.
The Blue Devils allowed three or more goals in back-to-back games for the first time since the 2014 season.