Duke Falls to Santa Clara, 2-1

Friday, November 26

6 P.M.

Duke University

16-4-1, 7-2-1

Santa Clara

15-5-2, 8-1-0

Santa Clara

Duke

Duke Falls to Santa Clara, 2-1

11/26/2021 10:15:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score BOX SCORE (PDF)ROBBIE CHURCH POSTGAME FINAL SEASON STATS (PDF)

DURHAM – Sophomore Olivia Migli brought No. 1-seeded Duke back to within a goal in the 62nd minute, but the Blue Devils were unable to find the late equalizer in a 2-1 loss to Santa Clara on Friday night in the NCAA Championship Quarterfinals.

Duke ends its season at 16-4-1, tying for the fifth-most wins in program history. The Broncos (15-5-2) move on to their second straight College Cup, and return home to Stevens Stadium in Santa Clara looking to repeat as national champions.

"It's a tough way to end the season," said head coach Robbie Church. "The journey begins a long time ago in August, and then you can go back three seasons that's wrapping up here. Only one team is ever happy at the end of this journey, and obviously it's not us today."

After Duke opened with four shot attempts in the first 20 minutes of play, it was the Broncos who struck first at the 24:53 mark. A quick passing play on the right side of the box freed up Skylar Smith, who fired a shot towards the far post that was deflected by goalkeeper Ruthie Jones. The ball settled for Izzy D'Aquila at the goal line, and the junior buried it into the back of the net to put the visitors in front, 1-0.

Santa Clara doubled its lead less than four minutes later, as Kelsey Turnbow found space at the top of the box and drilled a right-footed strike off the crossbar and in. The Broncos would finish the match with just two shots on target.

The Blue Devils maintained possession for the remainder of the first half and played a number of deep crosses into the teeth of the Broncos' defense. Santa Clara held strong, and after a late attempt by Delaney Graham soared over the bar, Duke went into the break needing two goals to extend its season.

The second half featured a desperate Duke side that played numerous balls towards the box, but none were answered through the first 15 minutes of the period. The Blue Devils finally broke through at the 61:52 mark on a play started by sophomore Emily Royson, who moved the ball past midfield and lofted in a high cross that a Santa Clara defender was able to get her head on. The clearing attempt went right to Migli at the back post, who headed it through the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Kylie Foutch and just over the line to give Duke life.

The Blue Devils sent five shots towards goal over the final 30 minutes, and on multiple occasions came within inches of knotting the match at two apiece. Duke's best chance came after the 80th minute, as a long pass was played towards the right side of the goal and Graham caught up to it with Foutch charging out. Graham chipped her attempt past Foutch, but the sharp-angled shot rolled across the net mouth and out of play.

A shot on goal in the 89th minute by junior Sarah Piper proved to be Duke's last gasp. Santa Clara managed to keep the ball out of its own third over the final minute, and as time expired the Broncos' bench poured onto the field in celebration.

The Blue Devils finished the match with a 12-3 advantage in shot attempts. Foutch recorded four saves for Santa Clara.

For Duke, it marks a second quarterfinal loss in 202 days, as the Blue Devils were ousted from the 2020-21 tournament on May 9.

Graduate students Tess Boade, Caitlin Cosme and Lily Nabet see their extraordinary careers in Durham come to an end. Over the past five seasons – each of which included an appearance in the NCAA Championship – the trio has contributed to 76 wins.

#GoDuke