Duke Falls, 1-0, to Virginia in ACC Soccer

Thursday, October 22

Durham, N.C.

7:00 p.m.

Duke University

6-6-4 (2-3-2ACC)

Virginia

7-5-3 (2-4-1ACC)

Virginia

Duke

Duke Falls, 1-0, to Virginia in ACC Soccer

10/22/2009 9:45:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. - Coming off two straight victories, the Duke women's soccer team came up against Virginia on Thursday at Koskinen Stadium and struggled in the first half on its way to falling, 1-0, to the Cavaliers.

With the loss, the Blue Devils fell to 6-6-4 overall and 2-3-2 in the ACC, while the Cavaliers improved to 7-5-3, 2-4-1. Duke has three matches remaining including a senior day contest on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 3:00 p.m., versus 13th-ranked Virginia Tech.

"In this league, you must play 90 minutes and we didn't play the first half," said Duke Head Coach Robbie Church. "It is very disappointing. I am not quite sure right now why we didn't play at the level we had [been]. This is a tough league and every game is important. I felt like they wanted the game more than us, especially in the first half. They won every head ball, every second ball and won every ball -- that shows heart. They were more desperate than we were."

Virginia came out in the first half and dominated the Blue Devils outshooting Duke, 11-2. In the 14th minute, the Cavaliers' Emily Carrollo got by the Blue Devil defense and sent a rocket towards the right post and Duke freshman goalkeeper Tara Campbell made a diving stop to her left.

The Blue Devils didn't take their first shot until the 31st minute by sophomore Cody Newman that went high.

In the 39th minute, Lauren Alwine found Sinead Farrelly on the side and Farrelly made a good move towards the box. She sent a perfect cross in front of the Duke goal to Jess Rostedt, who one-timed her seventh goal of the season from five yards out.

At the end of the first half, Virginia held an 11-2 shot advantage as freshman Maddy Haller had a shot saved in the 40th minute.

Duke came out like a different team in the second half and had its best scoring chance of the match as senior KayAnne Gummersall found herself with the ball in the box and sent a blast high over the crossbar in the 47th minute.

"To start, I don't think we came out hard enough," said Gummersall. "The first 45 minutes, we kind of gave them the play -- I think we were outshot 11-2 and unfortunately they got one in. It is a tough one to swallow. It happens in the ACC if you don't come out ready to play -- you are going to get beat."

Both Gretchen Miller and Chelsea Canepa each attempted shots in the second half but the Blue Devils couldn't get anything past the Cavalier defense.

"I don't think we ever found our rhythm [tonight] said senior Jane Alukonis. "I think the whole game we kind of saw the ball playing up and down the field but we never broke into our style of play and Duke soccer. We never hit stride."

For the match, Campbell finished with eight saves in 90 minutes for the Blue Devils in goal. Chantel Jones registered the shutout for Virginia with one save.

On Sunday, fans can get free admission to the Duke women's soccer game with a ticket from the Duke women's basketball Blue/White contest at 1:00 p.m. All you have to do is get a ticket from the ticket office in Cameron Indoor Stadium to get in free. Come out and support both the Duke women's basketball and women's soccer teams on Sunday. Duke and Virginia Tech will kick off at 3:00 p.m.

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