The 15th ranked Duke women’s soccer team won their first matchup in the NCAA Tournament, as they defeated Loyola Maryland, 6-0. The Blue Devils are the third seed in their bracket (where Penn State is the top seed).

In just their second game in twenty days, the Blue Devils came out on fire. They had two chances at the goal in the first 2:30. They scored a season-high five goals in the first half.

Kaitlyn Kerr scored three goals to record a hat trick. She now has nine career tournament goals, which is a school record. It was Duke’s first hat trick in tournament history. Her first goal came on a rebound off Cassie Pecht‘s shot in the tenth minute.

In the 22nd minute, Pecht scored her sixth goal of the season off a perfect cross into the box from Laura Weinberg. Just six minutes later, Kerr scored her second goal on another Pecht assist.

At the 40:23 mark, Duke was still on the attack towards the end of the first half. Kelly Cobb scored her second goal of the season off the rebound of a Katie Trees shot. Just 39 seconds later, Callie Simpkins streaked in for her third goal of the season.

Kerr recorded her hat trick in the 68th minute, though she had three chances early in the second half. She ended the game with six shots. Weinberg finished with five shots. Pecht continues to lead the ACC in assists, as she now has 13, which is the new single season freshman record at Duke. She is second overall in the Duke record book.

Duke out-shot Loyola in the first half 19-1. Overall, they out-shot them 28-2. Their team’s six goals were the most ever in a Duke tournament game.

Senior goalie Tara Campbell recorded her 52nd career shutout, though she only played the first 45 minutes.

The Blue Devils advanced to play the winner of the Miami (Ohio)-Tennessee match on Friday, November 16th.

*Six of the other ACC schools advanced (Maryland, North Carolina, Boston College, Virginia, Florida State, and Wake Forest). Miami was the lone school to not advance (they tied UCF 1-1).