Duke Women’s Soccer Flexes Depth and Star Power in Postseason Rankings
As the 2025 women’s college soccer season winds down, Duke is closing the year with a statement - and not just on the scoreboard. Nine current and future Blue Devils have landed on TopDrawerSoccer’s postseason Top 100 player rankings, a nod to the program’s depth, development, and continued presence among the nation’s elite.
Rader and Minestrella Lead the Charge
At the top of Duke’s standout list is redshirt junior Kat Rader, who comes in at No. 9 overall. Rader’s season was nothing short of electric.
With 12 goals and 12 assists, she was a consistent force in the attack, racking up 36 points and delivering in the clutch with four game-winners. She started 21 of 22 matches and was named a semifinalist for the 2025 Hermann Award - a testament to her all-around impact.
Her 1.64 points per game ranked 20th in the nation, and she registered at least one point in 17 matches. That kind of consistency is rare and invaluable, especially in a postseason run.
Just behind her at No. 15 is junior Mia Minestrella, who put together a breakout campaign of her own. Minestrella finished the season with 18 goals, ranking sixth nationally, and her 41 points placed her ninth in the country.
She tied for the NCAA Tournament lead with six goals and led all players with three game-winners during the tournament stretch. Her seven game-winning goals on the year tied for third in Duke’s single-season history - and those weren’t just stat-padding scores.
She delivered when it mattered most.
Transfers Making an Immediate Impact
Duke’s incoming transfer class is already turning heads. Sam Courtwright, ranked No. 42, joins from Texas Tech and brings a steady, creative midfield presence.
She started all 20 matches for the Red Raiders this year, tallying four goals and seven assists while logging over 1,400 minutes. Over two seasons, she’s been a model of consistency - 43 starts, 33 points, and All-America recognition in 2023.
Her addition gives Duke another proven playmaker with big-game experience.
Katie Shea Collins, another incoming junior transfer, checks in at No. 53.
The South Carolina standout started all 19 matches this season, scoring 10 goals and adding five assists. She’s already on the national radar - a MAC Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List name and First Team All-SEC honoree.
With 23 goals in two seasons, Collins brings firepower and a winning mentality to Durham.
Roller Anchors the Back Line
Junior defender Cameron Roller, ranked No. 44, has been the glue holding Duke’s back line together. She started all 23 matches and played nearly 2,000 minutes - ninth-most in a single season in program history.
Her leadership helped the Blue Devils post 12 shutouts and allow just one goal across five NCAA Tournament games. Roller’s contributions go beyond the stat sheet.
She’s the kind of steady, composed presence every championship-caliber defense needs. This season, she added four assists and earned Third Team All-Region honors, following up her All-America nod as a sophomore.
Freshmen Making Their Mark Early
Duke’s freshman class isn’t just promising - it’s already producing. Four rookies landed in the Top 100 freshman rankings, led by Daya King at No.
- King started 22 matches and logged over 1,900 minutes, fifth-most by a freshman in Duke history.
She was a mainstay in a defense that not only shut out 12 opponents but did so with poise and maturity beyond its years. King played the full 90 minutes in 19 matches - a massive responsibility for a first-year player, and she handled it like a veteran.
Avery Oder, ranked No. 10, made an immediate splash up top. The Calabasas, California native scored in each of her first two collegiate starts - a feat only eight players in Duke history have accomplished.
She finished with six goals, four assists, and 16 points, earning All-ACC Freshman Team honors. Her 1,511 minutes played show just how quickly she earned the trust of the coaching staff.
On the back line, Jocelyn Travers (No. 50) and another freshman ranked at No. 85 added depth and quality. Travers started 13 matches, including the final eight of the season, and contributed one goal and four assists. Her ability to step into a high-pressure role late in the year helped Duke maintain its defensive standard deep into the tournament.
Coughlin Adds to Defensive Depth
While not listed in the Top 100, freshman defender Coughlin played a key role early in the season. She started 14 matches and logged over 1,100 minutes, helping Duke build its defensive identity. Her contribution - including an assist at Notre Dame - was part of a collective effort that saw the Blue Devils concede just one goal in five NCAA Tournament matches.
The Big Picture
From seasoned stars like Rader and Minestrella to impact transfers and a freshman class already making noise, Duke’s roster is stacked with talent at every level. The postseason rankings reflect what fans and opponents alike have seen all year - this is a program not only built to win now but positioned to stay among the nation’s elite for years to come. The blend of experience, youth, and high-level production is a blueprint for sustained success.
If this season was any indication, Duke women’s soccer isn’t just reloading - they’re evolving, and fast.