Offense Comes Alive as No. 5 Duke Takes Down Syracuse, 4-0

Sunday, October 18

Syracuse, N.Y.

11 A.M.

Duke University

5-1-2, 3-1-2

Syracuse

0-5-0, 0-5-0

Duke

Syracuse

Photo by: Syracuse University

Offense Comes Alive as No. 5 Duke Takes Down Syracuse, 4-0

10/18/2020 3:43:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Duke-Syracuse Boxscore

SYRACUSE, N.Y.— After scoring only five goals over the last six matches, the fifth-ranked Duke women's soccer team's offense broke out Sunday at Syracuse as the Blue Devils scored three first half tallies on their way to collecting a 4-0 victory on the road at SU Soccer Stadium in Syracuse, N.Y.

Duke won its fourth straight match to improve to 5-1-2 overall and 3-1-2 in the ACC, while the Orange dropped to 0-5-0 overall and 0-5-0 in the league. The Blue Devils also collected their fourth consecutive shutout on defense and moved their scoreless streak to 411:52, which is the seventh longest streak since 2002.

Moving redshirt senior Mia Gyau up front for the first time this season proved to be the difference maker for the Blue Devils early as she spearheaded two goals for Duke in the first 20 minutes.

A product of Colesville, Md., Gyau drove down the left side of the pitch in the eighth minute and sent a cross in front of the goal where junior Delaney Graham tapped the ball to her sister Maggie Graham, who finished her first collegiate goal into the bottom right corner of the net.

Making her third straight start on the season out of Atlanta, Ga., Maggie Graham continues to impress in the midfield for the Blue Devils. With her assist, Delaney Graham has scored or assisted on three straight goals for Duke.

In the 20th minute, Gyau beat a Syracuse defender and sent a cross into the box where senior Tess Boade finished her second goal of the season and 10th of her career to put the Blue Devils ahead, 2-0.

Coming into Sunday's match, Duke had scored only two goals in the first half all season and matched that in the first 20 minutes of the contest.

Blue Devil freshman Olivia Migli got into the scoring column at the 33:43 mark off a pass from junior Mackenzie Pluck to give the Blue Devils a 3-0 advantage. Migli, who hails from Haymarket, Va., collected her second goal of the season, while Pluck notched her 10th career assist.

At the half, Duke held a 10-3 shot advantage.

With a three-goal lead in the second half, Blue Devil head coach Robbie Church inserted several substitutions, including rookies Katie Groff and Nicole Chico along with senior Remi Swartz, who made their second appearances of the season.

Duke kept attacking Syracuse, but the Orange started to get some offense going as well attempting eight second half shots.

After a Duke hand ball in the box in the 81st minute, Syracuse was awarded a penalty kick. Meghan Root stepped up, but Blue Devil redshirt senior goalkeeper Brooke Heinsohn made a diving stop to her left to keep the Orange off the board.

Heinsohn, who was making her first appearance since the season opener at Wake Forest, collected six saves over 45 minutes in the second half.

Following the penalty kick opportunity for Syracuse, the Blue Devils countered with a scoring chance of their own and Maggie Graham finished her second goal of the day off a beautiful feed from senior Karlie Paschall to give Duke a 4-0 lead with under nine minutes remaining.

Duke sophomore goalkeeper Ruthie Jones played all 45 minutes in the first half and finished with two saves. She moved her consecutive minutes without allowing a goal to 366:52, which is the eighth-longest streak in Blue Devil history.

For the match, Duke held a 26-11 shot advantage with freshman Grace Watkins leading the way with a career-high six attempts. Pluck added four, while Marykate McGuire and Sophie Jones added three each.

The Blue Devils will next travel down Tobacco Road to face top-ranked North Carolina Friday, Oct. 23 for a 7 p.m., kick live on ACC Network Extra.

#GoDuke

Notes:
• Karlie Paschall collected her fourth assist on the season, which is tied for the team lead
• Freshman Maggie Graham notched two goals and it marks the second straight year a Duke rookie has scored twice in a game (Emmy Duerr in 2019)