No. 5 Blue Devils Open Spring with 3-0 Win at UNCW

Saturday, March 6

Wilmington, N.C.

2 p.m.

Duke University

8-4-2, 7-4-2

UNCW

2-2-0, 0-0-0

Duke

UNCW

No. 5 Blue Devils Open Spring with 3-0 Win at UNCW

3/6/2021 5:52:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score BOX SCORE (PDF)

WILMINGTON, N.C. – The No. 5 Duke women's soccer team got the spring season underway in strong fashion, earning a 3-0 victory at UNCW Saturday afternoon.

The Blue Devils (8-4-2) returned to the pitch nearly four months since they played in the ACC Tournament semifinal, but little rust showed in an all-around performance at the UNCW Soccer Stadium. Duke posted its sixth shutout win of the 2020-21 season and recorded three-or-more goals for the fourth time.

"I thought it was a great start," said head coach Robbie Church. "Coming out, the first 15-20 minutes I thought was a little bit of a feeling-out process and there were a little bit of nerves since we haven't played, but I think after that, we really got a hold of the game. We had a clean sheet, which is really important. That's something we talked about – we cannot concede goals. Then, to be able to score three goals, I think overall it was a really good performance."

After the early stages of the first half saw Duke maintaining possession in the middle third of the field, the Blue Devils were able to push it up the pitch and earn a throw-in near the right corner. Junior Delaney Graham threw it in to junior Mackenzie Pluck, who quickly found senior Tess Boade at the top of the 18-yard box. Boade fired a high shot on goal that dropped in over the outstretched arm of Seahawks goalkeeper Anna Johnston to give Duke a 1-0 lead 6:32 into the match.

It marked the Blue Devils' fastest goal to start a game this season and was Boade's team-high-tying fourth tally of the year. The fourth-round selection by Sky Blue FC in the NWSL Draft this past January now has 12 goals in 66 career matches.

"We've talked a lot about coming out strong and scoring in the first 15 minutes," said Boade. "I think that got us some confidence on our belt, just for the spring season and all the hard work we've put in the last two months, to have one goal to open up the floodgates."

The Seahawks (2-2-0) found an opportunity three minutes later, as defender Alysa McLaughlin set up for a free kick just outside the Duke box. McLaughlin's shot was corralled by goalkeeper Ruthie Jones, who registered her lone save of the game.

With just under 20 minutes left in the half, freshman Olivia Migli tracked down a ball headed for the end line and attempted to cross it to the front of the net. The ball was deflected out, setting up for a Duke corner kick. Boade sent a high-arching corner over the UNCW defenders to the far post, where senior Caitlin Cosme headed it home to double the Blue Devils' lead at the 18:12 mark.

It was Cosme's fourth tally of the season after scoring just one goal through her first three years at Duke. The senior defender from New Hyde Park, N.Y., tied Boade and Migli for the team lead this season.

"Caitlin Cosme has done a really good job for us on set plays this year," said Church. "She's scored a number of goals – scored one at Wake Forest in the first game of the fall, and now the first game of the spring. She's just brave. She's not scared to put her head on the ball, so it's nice to have a player like that where you can get something off corners and set plays."

"As I was running over to get the ball, Robbie actually yelled at me to hit it back-post near the keeper," said Boade. "I didn't really ask any questions, I didn't know why – I just put it there and Caitlin got the job done."

UNCW subbed in goalkeeper Blair Barefoot with 12 minutes remaining in the opening period.

Duke got out to an even faster start in the second half, as freshman Grace Watkins' first career goal made it a 3-0 advantage just four minutes in. The play started once again with a Boade corner, and a missed clearance from UNCW worked its way to Migli, who found room at the top of the box and fired a shot towards goal. The blocked attempt fell to the feet of Cosme, who fed a nifty pass to Watkins that was one-timed into the left corner of the net.

"It was amazing," said Watkins. "I was so happy out there because I took so many shots last semester and it was discouraging shot after shot when I wasn't successful. I went home, worked on some shooting and to finally get a result was really amazing."

The play also marked Cosme's first career assist.

Duke nearly made it 4-0 in the 67th minute, as sophomore Sophie Jones got the ball 30 yards away from goal with Barefoot out of position. Jones dribbled it closer and sent a shot just high, ending the opportunity.

Duke held a 15-1 shot advantage in the match, with seven attempts on goal. Boade led the way with four shots, while Jones added three and Watkins had two.

The Blue Devils return to Durham for their first home contest of the spring season on Sunday, March 14, when they welcome Coastal Carolina to Koskinen Stadium at 2 p.m. ET.

NOTES

Head coach Robbie Church is in his 20th season at Duke and 35th year as a head coach. His record is now 252-130-57 with the Blue Devils and 435-244-71 overall.
Grace Watkins became the third Duke freshman to record a goal this season, joining Olivia Migli (four goals) and Maggie Graham (two).
Duke is now 3-0-0 all-time against UNCW.
Tess Boade has scored three goals in her last five regular season matches dating back to the fall season.
With a goal and an assist today, Boade moves her point total on the year to 10, matching junior Marykate McGuire for the most on the team.