Upcoming Event: Men's Soccer versus Averett on September 30, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Men's Soccer
vs Averett
Saturday, September 5
Durham, N.C.
7:00 PM
Duke University
2
vs
1
Iona
Set Pieces Key Duke to Victory over Iona
9/5/2015 10:10:00 PM | Men's Soccer
DURHAM, N.C.—The Duke men's soccer team scored two unanswered goals off of corner kicks tonight to remain perfect on the year with a 2-1 victory over Iona at Koskinen Stadium tonight. The Blue Devils scored a goal in each half and held off a late charge by the Gaels to move to 3-0-0 on the year.
Sophomore Jeremy Ebobisse tallied his team-leading third goal of the year, while Tyler Hilliard notched his first career score as a Blue Devil with the game-winner late in the second half. Zach Mathers provided the assists on both corner kick goals.
Duke's 3-0-0 start is the best for the Blue Devils since the 2009 squad started the year 4-0-0. Iona falls to 0-2-1 overall.
“Every week we're working on those set pieces,” said head coach John Kerr. “It's nice to see the benefits of it.”
Duke got off to a bit of a slow start in the game as Iona had a few dangerous early chances. Gaels midfielder Daniel Huerta capitalized on a Blue Devil giveaway in the midfield in the 18th minute as he looked up from 40 yards out and saw Duke keeper Wilson Fisher just off his line. Huerta launched a perfect strike just out of Wilson's reach as he retreated.
Iona's goal ignited the Blue Devils' offense and they appeared to get the equalizer just minutes later when Brian White tapped in a great service from Bryson Asher. White, however, was offside negating the goal.
After putting a lot of pressure on the Iona defense, Duke capitalized for the third time this season on a corner kick. Mathers lined up on the left side and swung the ball to the back post where Ebobisse cleanly put it in the back of the net for the equalizer in the 26th minute.
“Our response after that goal was great,” Kerr said. “They were upset with being down 1-0 at home in a game that we have to win. It kind of spurred us on. I am glad it was early in the game rather than later. It gave us a chance to get into the game and I thought we did a good job on that.”
The Blue Devils created more opportunities in the final 20 minutes, but were just missing that final pass or touch to get the go ahead goal. Duke held a 7-3 advantage in shots in the opening half with all seven chances coming on goal.
Duke started the second half the way it finished the first, putting relentless pressure on the Iona midfield and back four. Despite the dominant play in all thirds of the field by the Blue Devils they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities in the early minutes.
Iona nearly made Duke pay when against the run of play Marcos Nunez hit the post and Huerta had his shot deflected wide as the Gaels nearly regained the lead in the 65th minute.
Just three minutes later though it was Hilliard coming through for the Blue Devils on the back post of a corner kick. Mathers served it into the near post where it got flicked to the back post where Hilliard headed it home for what proved to be the game winner.
The Gaels gave a final push in the closing minutes, but the Duke defense was up to the task. Fisher made a fantastic kick save in the 75th minute and the Blue Devils overall were outstanding on the set pieces in those ensuing minutes.
The Blue Devils have a short rest before returning to the field Sept. 8 against Loyola at 7 p.m.
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's SoccerCinematic Recap vs Notre Dame
Tuesday, November 12
A DOMINANT WIN OVER NOTRE DAME - MEN'S SOCCER
Tuesday, November 05
Duke Athletics: A Tour of Campus
Saturday, October 19
Welcome to Duke
Saturday, October 19
