As 2021 comes to a close, The Chronicle’s sports department takes a look back at the biggest stories of the year in Duke athletics. Each day, we will review a major game, event or storyline that helped shape the course of the year for the Blue Devils.
Coming in at No. 7: Duke women’s soccer suddenly contends for a national title. For the full list, click here.
The Blue Devils ended the 2020-21 season, by far the longest in team history, with an Elite-Eight loss to No. 1 Florida State. Despite being outmatched, Duke managed to play to penalties. Had one of those shootout kicks gone differently, it could’ve made the Final Four; instead, four-year legend Taylor Mitchell missed a consequential take in her last game.
Mitchell was one of three players to not return for 2021. The Blue Devils…
