Blue Devils Improve To 3-0 As Alukonis Posts Game-Winner In 76th Minute

Sunday, August 31

Durham, N.C.

6:00 p.m.

Duke University

3-0-0

UNC Greensboro

2-2-0

UNC Greensboro

Duke

Blue Devils Improve To 3-0 As Alukonis Posts Game-Winner In 76th Minute

8/31/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. ? After scoring 13 goals in the first two contests, the 10th-ranked Duke women's soccer team found themselves in a defensive battle on Sunday evening at Koskinen Stadium against UNC Greensboro. The Blue Devils registered a goal in the 76th minute to collect a 1-0 victory over the Spartans.

With the victory, Duke improved to 3-0, while UNC Greensboro fell to 2-2. The Blue Devils will next travel down the road to play in the Nike Carolina Classic in Chapel Hill, N.C., on Sept. 5 versus Kentucky and Sept. 7 versus Notre Dame. The Kentucky contest will kick off at 5:00 p.m., while the match against the Irish will start at 1:00 p.m.

“It was typical first weekend play,” said Duke Head Coach Robbie Church. “There were some really, really good things and some things that were not quite there. We played some teams that were a little bit slower playing than Greensboro was the first two games. I knew that and I was concerned about that. Greensboro made us play faster than we have played before. They put more pressure on us and were more athletic. Greensboro always does a fantastic job [against us].”

Both teams came out in the first half and limited each others scoring opportunities. At the end of the first stanza, each team had six shots attempted, while Duke held a 4-0 advantage in corner kicks.

In the second half, Blue Devil junior Elisabeth Redmond had the best chance at scoring in the 60th minute as she hit the crossbar. The Spartans came back in the 69th minute as Kelly Attayek sent a high shot towards the middle of the goal and Blue Devil senior goalkeeper Cassidy Powers was able to get a hand up and swat the attempt away.

“I have been practicing and I am ready to come out and do what I do everyday,” said Powers. “We practice those kinds of shots and I was ready to deal with it.”

Finally in the 76th minute, a UNC Greensboro foul gave Duke a direct kick from 25 yards out. Junior Jane Alukonis took the attempt and with the help of sophomore Rebecca Allen shielding the Spartan defense, the ball slipped through the box and found the back left corner of the goal. The tally put the Blue Devils ahead 1-0 and marked the second goal in as many of games for Alukonis. A product of Cocoa Beach, Fla., Alukonis now owns three career goals.

The Blue Devils were able to hold off the Spartans over the final 13 minutes to register their third straight shutout to open the season.

Notching her first career shutout in goal for the Blue Devils was Powers. A senior from San Ramon, Calif., Powers notched four saves in 90 minutes, which were both career highs. So far on the season, Powers has seen action in 207:15 minutes without allowing a goal. Prior to this season, Powers saw limited action behind four-year starter Allison Lipsher. In her first three years, Powers played in five games and a total of 176:17 minutes.

“I thought we played really well [on defense],” said Powers. “We stayed connected and adjusted to their long balls style of play. Ashley [Rape] and Gretchen [Miller] did a good job of marking up and not letting their forwards win any head balls. I think they played really well tonight.”

The match concluded with Duke holding a 15-9 shot lead and an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks. Both Redmond and Alukonis lead the Blue Devils with four shots each, while KayAnne Gummersall added two.

“We got two wins and we are 3-0 going into the Carolina tournament this weekend,” said Church. “I am very, very happy where we are, but we can get better. We sure haven't peaked.”

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