Duke’s Mia Minestrella and Kat Rader Earn Academic All-America Honors After Standout Season
In a season where Duke women’s soccer once again found itself among the nation’s elite, two of its brightest stars-Mia Minestrella and Kat Rader-have been recognized not just for what they did on the field, but for what they accomplished in the classroom. On Wednesday, the duo earned spots on the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America team, capping off a year that showcased their excellence in every facet of the student-athlete experience.
This isn’t unfamiliar territory for the Blue Devils. In fact, it’s the second straight year Duke has had multiple players named Academic All-Americans. But what makes this year special is that both Minestrella and Rader were also named United Soccer Coaches All-America selections earlier this month-joining an elite group in program history who’ve earned both distinctions in the same season.
That list now includes nine names, and it reads like a who’s who of Duke women’s soccer: Christina Gibbons (2016), Imani Dorsey (2017), Kayla McCoy (2018), and more recently, a loaded 2024 class with Hannah Bebar, Maggie Graham, Leah Freeman, and Cameron Roller. Now, add Minestrella and Rader to that legacy.
Let’s start with Rader. A psychology major with a 3.95 GPA, she was as sharp in the classroom as she was clinical on the pitch.
The numbers tell the story: 12 goals, 12 assists, 36 points, and four game-winners across 21 starts. That kind of production doesn’t just happen-it’s the result of consistency, vision, and a knack for delivering in big moments.
Rader was a 2025 Hermann Award semifinalist, and her 1.64 points per game ranked 20th nationally. She tallied at least one point in 17 of the 22 matches she played, making her one of the most reliable offensive threats in the country.
Then there’s Minestrella, who turned heads all season with her scoring touch. The sociology major (3.61 GPA) racked up 18 goals, good for sixth in the nation, and added 41 total points-ninth-best in the country.
She was a force in the NCAA Tournament, tying for the tournament lead with six goals and leading all players with three game-winners. That’s not just clutch-that’s dominance when the stakes are highest.
Her 41 points rank third in Duke single-season history, and her seven game-winning goals also place her third on the program’s all-time charts.
Together, Rader and Minestrella were the heartbeat of a Blue Devils squad that made a second consecutive run to the NCAA College Cup. Under the leadership of first-year head coach Kieran Hall, Duke posted a 17-5-1 record and proved they’re not just a team with talent-they’re a program built to sustain success.
What Minestrella and Rader have done this season goes beyond stats and accolades. They’ve set a standard-on the field, in the classroom, and in the way they represent Duke soccer. And if the Blue Devils’ trajectory is any indication, this is just the beginning of what’s possible under Hall’s leadership and with players like these leading the way.