Rookies Send Seniors Out in Style

Friday, November 4

Durham, N.C.

7:00 PM

Duke University

Mercer

Wenger, Palodichuk Honored by Soccer America

Rookies Send Seniors Out in Style

11/4/2011 9:46:00 PM | Men's Soccer

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C.-A pair of freshmen registered a goal apiece this evening to lead the Duke men's soccer team to a 2-0 win over Mercer on senior night. Rookies Matt Slotnick and Nick Palodichuk both registered goals in the victory as the Blue Devils honored six seniors for their dedication to the Duke soccer program over the past four seasons.

Slotnick, tallied the game's first goal, while Palodichuk iced the victory with a score in the second half. Senior Christopher Tweed-Kent and Palodichuk provided assists for the goals to help Duke post its eight straight season with at least 10 wins. The Blue Devils close out the regular season with a 10-6-2 overall record.

"We wanted to get a shutout tonight and we wanted to play well, which we did," head coach John Kerr said. "We possessed the ball pretty well and created a lot of opportunities. The first goal [Matt] Slotnick smashed it past the keeper, a fantastic finish. And James Belshaw got a clean sheet , which was great. It was a good way to finish off on senior night."

Seniors Julian McIntosh, Temi Molinar, Joseph Pak, Jan Trnka-Amrhein, Christopher Tweed-Kent and Daniel Tweed-Kent all were honored prior to the game for their efforts over the past four seasons. The group of seniors has helped lead Duke to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances and an overall record of 44-27-8.

"It's just a great way to end the season, especially going into the ACC Tournament," Daniel Tweed-Kent said. "To have a shutout and have a pretty solid performance, I think it gives us confidence going into Clemson and having that home field advantage as well."

The Blue Devils controlled the run of play throughout the entire 90 minutes, allowing Mercer (8-7-3) just three shots overall and none on frame. Duke attacked from the opening whistle and was able to capitalize in the 28th minute when Slotnick took a pass from Palodichuk and blasted it past Mercer goalie Greg Ranjitsingh for the 1-0 lead. The goal was Slotnick's second in an as many games, while Palodichuk dished out his sixth assist.

"We're trying to keep our attack balanced and having Palodichuk in the right frame of mind is fantastic and Chris Tweed-Kent is always dangerous," Kerr said. "Even Lewis McLeod started up front for us and gave us a good few minutes. We're happy with the performance individually and collectively and now we move forward into the ACC Tournament."

Duke continued to run at the Bears in search of a second goal, but was unable to find the back of the net a second time in the 45-minute session. The Blue Devils held a 7-1 advantage in shots in the first half.

That elusive second goal came quickly in the second half. Palodichuk took a pass from Christopher Tweed-Kent and was able to slot it past the Mercer goalie for a 2-0 lead. Looking add another one to the scoreboard to ice the victory, the Blue Devils created quality chances and had excellent strikes stopped by Ranjitsingh to keep the game at 2-0.

Junior Andrew Wenger generated a couple of dangerous opportunities late in the stanza, but Ranjitsingh was able to make the saves. The Blue Devils outshot Mercer 11-2 in the second half, with six of those shots going on goal. Duke also earned six corner kicks after not earning any in the first half.

Anchored by the backline of Daniel Tweed-Kent, Wenger, Nat Eggleston and Pak and James Belshaw in goal, Duke posted its fourth shutout of the season. Belshaw picked up his 10th career shutout with the victory.

Duke opens postseason play on November 8, hosting Clemson in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals at 7 p.m. The Blue Devils earned the No. 3 seed and will play sixth-seeded Clemson at Koskinen Stadium with the winner advancing to the semifinals in Cary, N.C. on November 11.