Three Blue Devils Net Hat Tricks in 18-10 Win Over East Carolina

Wednesday, February 25

Durham, N.C.

5 PM

Duke University

3-2, 0-1

East Carolina

2-2

East Carolina

Duke

Photo by: Nat LeDonne / Duke Athletics

Three Blue Devils Net Hat Tricks in 18-10 Win Over East Carolina

2/25/2026 8:09:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

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DURHAM, N.C. – Sophomore Avery Doran, junior Bella Goodwin and freshman Quinn Whitaker each netted three goals apiece in the No. 23 Blue Devils' dominant triumph over East Carolina, 18-10, Wednesday evening inside Freeman Field at Koskinen Stadium.

Along with the trio of Blue Devils that scored hat tricks, graduate McKenzie Olsen, redshirt junior Ava Biancardi, sophomore Sadie Stafford and redshirt junior Eva Pronti found the back of the cage twice each, while sophomore Maddie MacDonald added a goal. Doran dished out three assists to lead the Blue Devils' distribution.

Ellie White had another strong outing at the draw circle, posting a career-high 16 draws. Sophomore Amanda Paci led the defensive effort, earning two ground balls and caused turnovers. Redshirt freshman goalie Hope Schoudel played all minutes in the cage for Duke, posting a career-high six saves.

How It Happened

East Carolina earned the first goal just under two minutes into the game, but Duke responded with a three-goal spurt, seeing scores from Whitaker, Pronti and Doran to take a 3-1 edge at the 10:56 mark.
The Pirates and Blue Devils traded three goals apiece to close the first quarter, with Duke entering the second stanza holding a 6-4 lead.
The Blue Devils dominated the second quarter, going on a 7-1 run over the 15-minute span.
Doran spurred the run, scoring a goal before feeding Biancardi at the 11:27 mark. Goodwin slotted the ball into the back of the cage, and later Doran once again found Biancardi to extend Duke's lead to 10-4 with 8:46 left in the first half.
East Carolina halted the momentum with its only goal of the second stanza coming at the 6:26 mark, but Goodwin, Doran and Stafford all notched goals to send the Blue Devils into halftime with a 13-5 advantage.
Despite taking four shots in the third quarter, Duke was kept off the board as ECU recorded three saves and netted three goals. Duke entered the final stanza with a 13-8 lead.
MacDonald scored 18 seconds into the fourth quarter off a feed from Doran, and Pronti converted her free position attempt to establish a 15-8 lead for Duke. ECU and the Blue Devils each added two goals, with Duke seeing scores from Stafford and Olsen to maintain a 17-10 edge.
Whitaker sealed the Blue Devils' 18-10 win, converting her free position shot with 34 seconds left in regulation.

Notes

Duke improves to 3-2 on the year, while East Carolina falls to 2-2.
Head coach Kerstin Kimel picks up her 367th career win and 363rd with the Blue Devils.
Duke pushes its lead in the all-time series versus ECU, 9-0.
White surpassed 150 career draw controls, posting a personal-best mark 16 against the Pirates.
Doran matched a season-high six points with three goals and three assists.
Three Blue Devils with hat tricks marked the first time this season Duke has had three or more goals from three different players.
Goodwin matched a season-best three goals.
MacDonald picked up a career-high two ground balls.
Schoudel notched a career-best six saves.
Four Blue Devils notched two ground balls – Paci, senior Madison Beale, Goodwin and MacDonald.