Duke Battles No. 5 Virginia to 2-2 Draw

Friday, September 11

Durham, N.C.

7:00 PM

Duke University

Virginia

Duke Hosts No. 17 Charlotte in Final Exhibition

Duke Battles No. 5 Virginia to 2-2 Draw

9/11/2015 11:06:00 PM | Men's Soccer

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C.—Duke University sophomore Jeremy Ebobisse scored a highlight-reel equalizer in the 67th minute as the Blue Devils fought fifth-ranked Virginia to a 2-2 draw in their ACC men's soccer opener Friday night at Koskinen Stadium.

Duke improves to 4-0-1 overall on the year, while Virginia moved to 2-0-2. The Blue Devils' 4-0-1 start is the best since 2006 when the team opened the first five games at 5-0-0.

“We've made a lot of strides since last year,” said head coach John Kerr. “It was great for us to play an excellent first 30 minutes. I'm disappointed with the two goals we gave away in the second half that put us behind the eight ball, but I've got to give my players credit for the way they bounced back and got back into the game. They were determined to not lose that game.”

The Blue Devils were outstanding early in the first half, moving the ball well and taking it at the Cavaliers from the opening whistle. Duke dominated the run of play throughout the first 20 minutes and capitalized in the 22nd minute on a corner kick.

Having had much success on the flanks, Duke made its sixth corner kick of the night count. Ryan Thompson swung in a left-footed service to the back post where Markus Fjørtoft headed it home for his second goal of the season and a 1-0 Blue Devil lead. It also marked the fourth time Duke had scored off a corner kick this season.

Duke continued to control possession in the moments after going ahead, but Virginia began to find its way into the game as the half progressed. Senior goalkeeper Wilson Fisher mad the first of two spectacular saves when he got just enough of Jake Rozhansky shot to knock it off the post. Carter Manley recovered well to block the rebound.

Fisher added two more saves in the closing minutes, including an excellent kick save in the final 15 seconds to send Duke into halftime with a 1-0 lead.

Any momentum held by the Blue Devils quickly went away in the second half as Virginia netted two goals in the opening seven minutes for the 2-1 lead. The first came off of a save from Fisher, while the second was good combination play form the Cavaliers after a Duke turnover in its defensive third.

Fisher finished with a career-high eight saves for the Blue Devils.

Much like Duke had done in the first, Virginia was having its way with the Blue Devils for the first 20 minutes of the second half. Kerr, seeing that the Cavaliers were controlling play, made a tactical change that allowed the Blue Devils to regain possession.

Set pieces once again proved to be the difference for the Blue Devils. A Zach Mathers free kick was tipped over the bar by Virginia goalie Jeff Caldwell giving Duke yet another corner kick. Mathers served a perfect ball to the top of the six-yard box where Jared Rist headed it off the crossbar. The ball bounced out to the far post where Ebobisse one-timed it into the right upper 90 for his fifth tally of the year.

Ebobisse nearly made it a 3-2 score moments later when a crack from 15 yards hit the underside of the crossbar, but didn't cross the goal line. Duke continued to attack and had quality chances in the waning minutes of regulation, but couldn't capitalize.

“No question [I feel that this game got away from us],” Kerr said. “To be fair to [Virginia], they had another chance to score to put it away at 3-1, but I'm disappointed we didn't capitalize on the massive crowd and great atmosphere. But I'm also pleased that we didn't lose the game and that's important as we go down the stretch.”

The two teams combined for seven shots in the two overtime sessions with only two coming on frame, sending the ACC foes away with a 2-2 draw and a single point in the standings.

Caldwell made four stops for the Cavaliers. Overall Duke held a 21-19 advantage in shots and took a season-high 14 corner kicks.

Duke is back in action in non-conference play Tuesday night, Sept. 15, against UNC Wilmington at Koskinen Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.