Two words: scoring explosion. There was no shortage of clinical finishes on the opening night of the NCAA women’s soccer season. Players around the country showcased their preseason grind as the first balls of the 2023 season found the back of the net. Slight correction: These balls were launched, lofted and finessed into all sections of the net — especially that upper 90 sweet spot.
Here are the top 11 goals from the first night of action.
1. Kat Rader | No. 4 Duke vs. West Virginia, 2-0 win
It doesn’t get much better than this. The 2022 ACC Freshman of the Year delivered a banger just 10 minutes into the season. Rader’s quick change in pace opened a gap in the Mountaineers’ backline and gave her the space to cushion a shot into the side netting. Duke added a second goal in the 70th minute, escaping a stiff test from the reigning Big 12 champions to earn the program’s 450th victory.
KAT FROM DISTANCE 🚀🚀🚀
…out here making it look easy 😅🤯🔥#SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/rCsocYS6CD
— Duke Women’s Soccer (@DukeWSOC) August 18, 2023
2. Maddie Mercado | No. 3 Notre Dame vs. Milwaukee, 2-2 tie
Despite totaling nearly 60 percent possession, Notre Dame needed a splendid counterattacking move to erase an early deficit. Ellie Ospeck found Mercado with a…
