Duke Women’s Lacrosse Set for Top-15 Showdown vs. Johns Hopkins in Home Opener
Duke women’s lacrosse returns home this Sunday with a chance to make an early-season statement. The No.
14 Blue Devils host No. 8 Johns Hopkins at 3 p.m.
ET in what promises to be a tightly contested matchup between two top-15 programs. The game will stream live on ACCNX.
This isn’t just another non-conference clash - it’s a rematch with some recent sting. Last season, these two went to overtime, with Johns Hopkins edging Duke 12-11. That loss still lingers for a Blue Devils squad looking to bounce back after dropping their ACC opener to Pittsburgh, 17-10.
A Look Back, and What’s at Stake
Duke leads the all-time series against Johns Hopkins, 8-3, and has taken seven of the last 10 meetings. They’ve also fared well at home in this matchup, going 4-2 in Durham. But the Blue Jays have momentum on their side, entering Sunday’s game 2-0 with wins over Liberty and Loyola.
For Duke, it’s about more than just revenge - it’s about setting the tone for a season that could be a turning point. Last year’s 14-win campaign was the program’s best since 2022, and with a veteran core and rising stars, expectations are building.
Who’s Hot for the Blue Devils
Despite the loss at Pitt, there were bright spots. Sophomore Avery Doran exploded for a career-high five goals, showing the kind of offensive upside that could make her a breakout name this season. Junior Bella Goodwin added four points of her own (two goals, two assists), and continues to prove why she’s on the Tewaaraton Award Watch List.
On the defensive end, redshirt junior Ava Biancardi led the way with a personal-best three ground balls, while senior Sydney Smith caused two turnovers - both efforts that will be key against a Hopkins offense that’s already finding rhythm early in the season.
Numbers That Matter
- 14 - Duke's current IWLCA ranking
- 8-3 - Duke’s all-time record vs.
Johns Hopkins
- 17-12 - The scoreline from Duke’s most recent win over the Blue Jays in 2022
- 5 - Goals from Doran last time out, a career high
- 1 - Preseason All-America selection in Eva Pronti
- 6 - ACC wins last season, the most since 2022
- 31st - Season at the helm for head coach Kerstin Kimel, who owns 365 career wins (361 at Duke)
Kimel’s experience and consistency at the top have been a stabilizing force for the program. She’s built Duke into a perennial contender, and this year’s group has the pieces to keep that tradition going.
Scouting the Blue Jays
Johns Hopkins comes in ranked No. 8 in the IWLCA poll and looks sharp early. Ava Angello leads the team with 11 goals through two games, while Lacey Downey has dished out six assists.
Defensively, Reagan O’Brien has been a force - already tallying 11 caused turnovers and 13 ground balls. In net, Ashley Langdon has made 10 saves and holds a .455 save percentage.
This is a Hopkins team that brings balance on both ends of the field, and they’ll test Duke’s depth and discipline.
What’s Next
After Sunday’s home opener, Duke hits the road to face Richmond on Feb. 21. But first, they’ll look to protect home turf against a top-10 opponent and get back in the win column.
If the Blue Devils can channel the offensive flashes from Doran and Goodwin and match that with a more cohesive defensive effort, they’ll have a real shot to flip the script from last year’s overtime heartbreaker. With eight home games on the schedule and six matchups against 2025 NCAA Tournament teams, every early-season test matters - and this one’s a big one.