Duke’s run began with a statement 5-0 win over Stanford, then ranked No. 1, on September 13. Avery Oder scored twice, while Katie Shea Collins, Yuna Marui and Mia Minestrella also found the net.
Four days later, the Blue Devils lost 4-2 to North Carolina after briefly taking a 2-1 lead. The report says three goals in the final 20 minutes turned the match, exposing a vulnerability when the game became stretched.
Duke then drew with Notre Dame, reported as the No. 15 team at the time, before holding Pitt scoreless. Across the four fixtures, the team recorded one win, one defeat and two draws.
The response against Notre Dame offered a stronger sign. After falling behind, Jocelyn Travers equalised ten minutes later with a left-footed strike from outside the box. It was reportedly her first goal of the season.
That reaction matters because Duke’s best results have come when the team has preserved its attacking identity under pressure. The report also lists Mia Minestrella on 10 goals, placing her third in ACC scoring and giving the Blue Devils a proven attacking outlet.
The contrast between the Stanford win and the North Carolina defeat is stark: Duke has shown a high ceiling, but the title race will demand that level over longer periods.
Duke’s next listed fixture is a home meeting with California on October 3. It offers a different test after four high-profile ACC games: not just whether the Blue Devils can compete with elite opponents, but whether they can turn momentum into another complete performance.