Blue Devils Use Stellar 2nd Half to Beat NC State, 3-1

Friday, October 9

Raleigh, NC

8 P.M.

Duke University

2-2-0, 2-1-0

NC State

0-3-0, 0-3-0

Duke

NC State

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Blue Devils Use Stellar 2nd Half to Beat NC State, 3-1

10/9/2020 10:27:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score

DURHAM, N.C.—Duke scored three second-half goals to capture a 3-1 road victory at NC State Friday night in ACC men's soccer action. Three different Blue Devils scored for the Blue Devils in the win – their second in three weeks against the Wolfpack.

The Blue Devils improve to 2-2 overall and move to 2-1 in conference action. Duke joins North Carolina in the South Division with six points in league play.
Scoring for the Blue Devils were rookie Lewis McGarvey, captain Jack Doran and senior Daniel Wright. All three goals came off set pieces for the Blue Devils.

Duke dominated action for much of the first half, outshooting the Wolfpack 4-3 and winning seven corner kicks to NC State's two. The Blue Devils put two shots on goal and NC State one and went into halftime scoreless.

NC State had a dangerous look in the 14th minute as a corner kick from the left side swung in through the middle of the box, but goalkeeper Will Pulisic made a quick reaction to get a glove on the ball and Duke cleared it out of danger.

The Blue Devils nearly took the lead midway through the half when Jack Doran tried to head a cross to the far post, but couldn't get it past a diving Leon Krapf. The momentum continued to swing in Duke's favor as Krapf came up big again on a driven set piece strike from Kristofer Gardarsson just outside the penalty area.

Duke continued to control the run of play as it was able to move the ball all around its middle and offensive third of the field, earning countless corner kicks. However, the Blue Devils were unable to find that finishing touch as they headed into halftime tied, 0-0.

The Blue Devils broke through in the 61st minute for the 1-0 lead. Once again, it was a rookie scoring for Duke when McGarvey headed home a set piece service from Matthias Frick. McGarvey made a run to the back post, breaking away from his defender and simply headed the ball back where it came over the head of Krapf for his first career goal.

Less than 10 minutes later it was another set piece giving the Blue Devils a security goal. Peter Stroud drew a free kick just outside the right side of the 18-yard box. Rookie Nick Pariano played the ball in on the ground to the near post where Doran poked it through the legs of Krapf for the 2-0 lead.

Two minutes later, the Wolfpack got one back as Ivy Brisma headed a cross over the head of Pulisic. Brisma was able to redirect a Pepe Garcia service just enough to make it a one-goal game with 20 minutes left in regulation.

With time ticking down and NC State pressing forward in search of the equalizer, Wright took the wind out of the sails of the Wolfpack with a fantastic one-time strike in the 87th minute. Pariano's low free kick service was knocked out to the top of the penalty box to Wright. The veteran forward hit it low and a shielded Krapf couldn't stop it from sneaking inside the right post.

Duke outshot the Wolfpack 11-7 for the game and had a 7-4 corner kick advantage. Pulisic finished the night with two saves, capturing his 32nd career victory. Krapf had three saves in the setback.

The Blue Devils travel to Clemson next Friday, Oct. 16. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m., on ACC Network.

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