Duke Comeback Bid Falls Short at No. 7 Notre Dame

NOTRE DAME, Ind. –Duke rallied from two goals down for the second straight game, but an overtime goal by No. 7 Notre Dame sunk the Blue Devils' upset bid in ACC men's soccer action this afternoon. Jeffrey Farina netted the game-winning score for the Fighting Irish.

Duke (5-5-2, 0-4-1) fell behind 2-0 as Notre Dame (8-2-3, 3-1-1) netted goals in the 15th and 55th minutes before battling back to tie the game and force overtime. The comeback bid was nearly identical to Duke's resilient effort in the 3-2 double overtime win over Hofstra Monday.

“I'm disappointed for our players because they gave 110 percent and played really really well over the course of the game and deserved at least a tie out of the match.”

Brian White and Brody Huitema had the goals for the Blue Devils, their fourth and third this season, respectively. Duke is just the third team this season to score at least two goals against the Irish.

The Blue Devils moved the ball well in the early going, keeping the Irish on their heels with quick passing and quality defending. Notre Dame, after the first 10 minutes, started to get into a rhythm and capitalized on Duke's inability to clear the ball to grab the 1-0 lead. Patrick Hodan netted the game's first goal on the failed clearance.

Duke generated a couple of dangerous opportunities from corner kicks, but struggled to find the final pass behind the Irish defense. The Blue Devils managed just four shots and one on goal in the first half as they headed into the break trailing 1-0.

Hodan added his second of the afternoon less than 10 minutes into the second half with a fantastic free kick from 25 yards into the left side-netting.

Trailing 2-0, the Blue Devils remained calm and continued to play and fight and quickly cut into the Irish lead with a tally less than five minutes later. Carter Manley collected the ball on the right side and sent in a great service to the back post where White headed it home past Chris Hubbard.

White had another great header on frame minutes later, but Hubbard was able to get down just in time to parry it wide of the net.

The Blue Devils continued to pressure the Irish and in the 75th minute drew a foul just outside of the top of the 18-yard box. Huitema lined up behind the ball and snuck the ball past the wall and froze Hubbard in his tracks as the ball skipped into the lower right corner to tie the game.

Notre Dame nearly got the game winner in regulation, but Farina's shot from the doorstep missed just wide as the two teams headed into overtime for the second consecutive game.

Duke had the better of play in the early minutes of overtime, but a corner kick with just over four minutes remaining for the Irish proved to be the difference. Hodan sent in a near-post service where Matt Habrowski flicked it on for Farina to finish from 12 yards.

Mitch Kupstas started for the second straight game for the Blue Devils and finished with one save. Hubbard posted five saves in the victory for the Irish.

Duke is back in action Tuesday, Oct. 13 against Holy Cross of the Patriot League. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., on Blue Devil Network+.