Duke Women’s Golf Advances to NCAA Match Play Semifinals with Victory Over NC State

Wilmington, N.C. — Duke women’s golf graduate student Andie Smith clinched a hard-fought victory for the Blue Devils with a 15-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole, securing a 3-1 win over fifth-seeded NC State in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship match play. The win propels the fourth-seeded Duke team into the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the Oklahoma State versus LSU match.

The victory marked a pivotal moment in Duke’s postseason run, highlighting the team’s resilience and depth under pressure. Smith, a graduate transfer from Wake Forest, has been a consistent performer all season and delivered when it mattered most.

Match Summary: Duke Edges NC State in Tight Contest

The quarterfinal match, held at the UNCG Golf Course in Wilmington, N.C., began with Duke taking an early lead. Senior Megan Schofill won her match 2-up against NC State’s Lauren Kim, giving Duke a 1-0 advantage.

NC State responded quickly, with freshman Rachel Kuehn defeating Duke’s Samantha Wagner 3-and-2 to even the match at 1-1. The momentum shifted again when sophomore Brooke Matthews defeated NC State’s Haley Baker 4-and-3, putting Duke ahead 2-1.

The deciding point came in the final match between Andie Smith and NC State’s senior Megan Schofill. After 18 holes, the match was tied, forcing extra holes. On the second playoff hole — a par-4 — Smith sank a 15-foot birdie putt to win the hole and the match, clinching the overall 3-1 victory for Duke.

Andie Smith’s Impact on Duke’s Postseason Push

Smith’s performance underscores her value to the Blue Devils since joining the program as a graduate transfer. A two-time All-ACC selection at Wake Forest, she has brought veteran leadership and composure to Duke’s lineup.

“Andie has been incredible all year,” said Duke head coach Dan Brooks in a post-match interview. “She thrives in big moments, and today was no exception. That putt wasn’t just about skill — it was about belief.”

Smith finished the spring season with a 73.8 stroke average and recorded three top-10 finishes, including a tie for fifth at the ACC Championships.

Duke’s Path to the NCAA Semifinals

Duke entered the NCAA Championship as the No. 4 seed in the stroke play qualifier, finishing tied for fourth with a 288 (+12) team score over three rounds. The Blue Devils earned the fourth seed in match play, avoiding the top three seeds until the semifinals.

In match play, Duke defeated 13th-seeded Kent State 4-0 in the opening round before facing NC State in the quarterfinals. The victory over the Wolfpack marks Duke’s best finish in the NCAA Championship since 2019, when they reached the semifinals before losing to eventual champion UCLA.

The Blue Devils now await the winner of the No. 1 seed Oklahoma State versus No. 5 seed LSU match, scheduled for later today. A win would send Duke to the national championship match for the first time since 2006.

NC State’s Strong Showing Falls Short

Despite the loss, NC State had a commendable run. The Wolfpack entered the tournament as the No. 5 seed after finishing tied for fifth in stroke play with a 289 (+13). Their victory over Duke in the second match kept them alive, but they ultimately fell short in the deciding match.

Freshman Rachel Kuehn, who secured NC State’s point, has been one of the nation’s top performers this season, earning first-team All-ACC honors and ranking inside the top 25 nationally in scoring average.

What’s Next for Duke Women’s Golf?

With a semifinal berth secured, Duke is now just two wins away from claiming its first NCAA women’s golf national title since 2006. The program has made five semifinal appearances in the last 12 years but has yet to breakthrough to the championship match in the modern era.

Coach Brooks emphasized the importance of staying focused: “We’ve got one more match to win to get to the finals. We’re not looking past this — we know it’s going to be a battle.”

The semifinal match is scheduled for later today, with coverage beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET on Golf Channel and streaming via NCAA.com.

Key Takeaways

• Andie Smith hit a 15-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole to defeat Megan Schofill and clinch Duke’s 3-1 victory over NC State in the NCAA women’s golf quarterfinals.
• The win advances Duke to the semifinals, where they will face the winner of Oklahoma State vs. LSU.
• Duke improves to 4-0 in match play this postseason and is seeking its first national title since 2006.
• NC State finishes its run with a strong showing, led by freshman Rachel Kuehn’s victory over Samantha Wagner.
• Smith’s performance highlights the impact of experienced transfers in high-pressure postseason situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Andie Smith?

Andie Smith is a graduate student on the Duke women’s golf team, having transferred from Wake Forest after completing her undergraduate eligibility. She is a two-time All-ACC selection and served as a team captain for the Demon Deacons.

What is match play in golf?

In match play, golfers compete hole-by-hole rather than counting total strokes. A player wins a hole by completing it in fewer strokes than their opponent. The match is won when a player leads by more holes than remain to be played.

When and where is the NCAA women’s golf championship being held?

The 2024 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship is being held at the UNCG Golf Course in Bryan Park, Greensboro, N.C. The match play portion began on May 24 and concludes with the championship match on May 27.

How can I watch the Duke semifinals match?

The semifinal match will be televised live on Golf Channel and streamed via NCAA.com and the Golf Channel app. Coverage begins at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Has Duke ever won a women’s golf national title?

Yes. Duke won the NCAA women’s golf national championship in 2006, defeating UCLA in the final. The Blue Devils have made five semifinal appearances since then but have not returned to the championship match.