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Women's Soccer
vs #25 Clemson
Sunday, May 9
Cary, N.C. (Quarterfinal)
1 P.M.
Duke University
0
vs
0
Florida State
Duke Falls to Florida State in Penalty Kicks, 5-3
5/9/2021 6:07:00 PM | Women's Soccer
CARY, N.C. – Duke battled top-seeded Florida State through 110 minutes of scoreless play, but came up short in penalty kicks, 5-3, in the NCAA Quarterfinals on Sunday at the WakeMed Soccer Park.
The Blue Devils finish the 2020-21 campaign with a 12-5-4 record. Duke made its seventh appearance in the quarterfinals in the last 10 years, and reached the 12-win mark for the fifth time in the last six seasons.
"I'm so proud of this team," head coach Robbie Church said. "It's been quite a year. There's never been a year like this. That's obviously been documented so many ways, but starting here in July and ending on May 9, and ending on penalty kicks to the No. 1 team – one of the best teams that's ever been in this conference – the girls just gave everything. Not only the people on the field, but the people on the sidelines – it was such a connected group. I'm so proud to be their coach."
Duke executed a defensive game plan throughout the entirety of the 110-minute match, limiting Florida State's high-powered offense. Sophomore goalkeeper Ruthie Jones was sensational in net, finishing with a career-high eight saves. The Charlotte, N.C., native collected her 12th clean sheet of the year, and ends her sophomore campaign without allowing a goal in her last 223 minutes and 15 seconds of play.
The Blue Devils came out aggressive in the opening 10 minutes. Junior Mackenzie Pluck found room at the top of the 18-yard box and fired a left-footed shot wide of the Florida State goal just 1:35 into the match. Five minutes later, Pluck sent a cross-field pass that found junior Delaney Graham in stride, but Graham's shot soared past the left post, ending the opportunity.
The Seminoles (13-0-0) did not give away possession for the majority of the first half, probing the Duke defense in the final third. The Blue Devils held strong, however, and two stops from Jones coupled with the play of a veteran back line kept the game scoreless. Florida State had a free kick from just outside Duke's box with 14 seconds remaining in the period, but Yujie Zhao's shot was sent just over the crossbar and the two sides went into halftime knotted at 0-0.
Florida State created more chances in the second half, beginning with a Leilanni Nesbeth one-time shot from inside the box that was corralled by Jones in the 56th minute. Nesbeth had another good look in the 62nd minute, and fired a hard shot from 20 yards out that was headed for the upper right corner of the net. Jones came up big once again, however, punching the shot over the crossbar. On the ensuing corner, the ball worked its way to an open Jaelin Howell, who sent her try over the net.
The first overtime period saw more consistent pressure from the No. 1 seeded Seminoles, with Jones making a game-saving stop off Clara Robbins' shot inside the box in the 97th minute. Senior Taylor Mitchell had a crucial shot block in the early stages of the period, stepping in front of a try from Jenna Nighswonger from the right side of the net.
Florida State earned three corner kicks in the second overtime, but Duke's defense answered each one with a clearance, forcing the Seminoles to reset. The Blue Devils looked to force a counter-attack opportunity but never found themselves in the final third, as the Seminoles rarely gave away possession. Robbins had one more try with three seconds left, directing a header towards goal that was absorbed by Jones.
The scoreless draw brought the two ACC rivals to a decisive shootout. A Duke miss would give Florida State an early advantage, and the Seminoles converted each of their five attempts to put it away.
Florida State advances to the College Cup semifinals on Thursday, where it will face the winner of Virginia and fourth-seeded TCU.
NOTES
Duke moves to 42-22-11 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
Head Coach Robbie Church concludes his 20th season at Duke and 35th year as a head coach. His record now stands at 256-131-59 with the Blue Devils and 439-245-73 overall.
Duke is one of three programs nationally to have appeared in the NCAA Quarterfinals seven or more times in the last 10 years (Florida State – 8, Stanford – 7).
Sophomore Ruthie Jones' career-high eight saves are the most by a Duke goalkeeper since Brooke Heinsohn recorded eight against North Carolina on Oct. 10, 2019.
Senior Tess Boade, senior Caitlin Cosme and freshman Olivia Migli led the team with six goals each during the 2020-21 season.
#GoDuke
The Blue Devils finish the 2020-21 campaign with a 12-5-4 record. Duke made its seventh appearance in the quarterfinals in the last 10 years, and reached the 12-win mark for the fifth time in the last six seasons.
"I'm so proud of this team," head coach Robbie Church said. "It's been quite a year. There's never been a year like this. That's obviously been documented so many ways, but starting here in July and ending on May 9, and ending on penalty kicks to the No. 1 team – one of the best teams that's ever been in this conference – the girls just gave everything. Not only the people on the field, but the people on the sidelines – it was such a connected group. I'm so proud to be their coach."
Duke executed a defensive game plan throughout the entirety of the 110-minute match, limiting Florida State's high-powered offense. Sophomore goalkeeper Ruthie Jones was sensational in net, finishing with a career-high eight saves. The Charlotte, N.C., native collected her 12th clean sheet of the year, and ends her sophomore campaign without allowing a goal in her last 223 minutes and 15 seconds of play.
The Blue Devils came out aggressive in the opening 10 minutes. Junior Mackenzie Pluck found room at the top of the 18-yard box and fired a left-footed shot wide of the Florida State goal just 1:35 into the match. Five minutes later, Pluck sent a cross-field pass that found junior Delaney Graham in stride, but Graham's shot soared past the left post, ending the opportunity.
The Seminoles (13-0-0) did not give away possession for the majority of the first half, probing the Duke defense in the final third. The Blue Devils held strong, however, and two stops from Jones coupled with the play of a veteran back line kept the game scoreless. Florida State had a free kick from just outside Duke's box with 14 seconds remaining in the period, but Yujie Zhao's shot was sent just over the crossbar and the two sides went into halftime knotted at 0-0.
Florida State created more chances in the second half, beginning with a Leilanni Nesbeth one-time shot from inside the box that was corralled by Jones in the 56th minute. Nesbeth had another good look in the 62nd minute, and fired a hard shot from 20 yards out that was headed for the upper right corner of the net. Jones came up big once again, however, punching the shot over the crossbar. On the ensuing corner, the ball worked its way to an open Jaelin Howell, who sent her try over the net.
The first overtime period saw more consistent pressure from the No. 1 seeded Seminoles, with Jones making a game-saving stop off Clara Robbins' shot inside the box in the 97th minute. Senior Taylor Mitchell had a crucial shot block in the early stages of the period, stepping in front of a try from Jenna Nighswonger from the right side of the net.
Florida State earned three corner kicks in the second overtime, but Duke's defense answered each one with a clearance, forcing the Seminoles to reset. The Blue Devils looked to force a counter-attack opportunity but never found themselves in the final third, as the Seminoles rarely gave away possession. Robbins had one more try with three seconds left, directing a header towards goal that was absorbed by Jones.
The scoreless draw brought the two ACC rivals to a decisive shootout. A Duke miss would give Florida State an early advantage, and the Seminoles converted each of their five attempts to put it away.
Florida State advances to the College Cup semifinals on Thursday, where it will face the winner of Virginia and fourth-seeded TCU.
NOTES
Duke moves to 42-22-11 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
Head Coach Robbie Church concludes his 20th season at Duke and 35th year as a head coach. His record now stands at 256-131-59 with the Blue Devils and 439-245-73 overall.
Duke is one of three programs nationally to have appeared in the NCAA Quarterfinals seven or more times in the last 10 years (Florida State – 8, Stanford – 7).
Sophomore Ruthie Jones' career-high eight saves are the most by a Duke goalkeeper since Brooke Heinsohn recorded eight against North Carolina on Oct. 10, 2019.
Senior Tess Boade, senior Caitlin Cosme and freshman Olivia Migli led the team with six goals each during the 2020-21 season.
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Soccer
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GK
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