Upcoming Event: Men's Soccer versus Howard on September 23, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Men's Soccer
vs Howard
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Saturday, August 14
Wilmington, N.C.
6 P.M.
Duke University
1-0-0, 0-0-0
4
at
2
UNCW (EXH)
0-1-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Duke
2
2
4
UNCW
2
0
2
Photo by: Tom Hanna, UNCW Athletics
Freshmen Lead the Way as Blue Devils Collect 4-2 Exhibition Win at UNC-Wilmington
8/14/2021 9:43:00 PM | Men's Soccer
WILMINGTON, N.C. – Duke men's soccer saw its offense click, as the Blue Devils defeated UNC-Wilmington, 4-2 in exhibition action on Saturday night at the UNCW Soccer Stadium.
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The game got off to an electric start, with the Seahawks striking first on a 13th minute goal by Cannon Tootle, on just the second shot of the match. However, Duke's first shot of the game proved just as fruitful, with freshman midfielder Felix Barajas scoring his first goal as a Blue Devil in the 19th minute on a Thorleifur Ulfarsson assist to tie the game.
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The Blue Devils generated positive momentum from the goal, putting the pressure on the Seahawks defense that culminated in freshman midfielder Ruben Mesalles's first goal in the 35th minute. However, the Seahawks secured a break, with a foul by Mesalles 23 seconds later resulting in a penalty kick goal by Jacob Evans to tie the game at 2-2.
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Unfazed by the response, the Blue Devils clamped down on the defensive end, holding the Seahawks without a shot on goal from that point on through the end of the match. Mesalles continued his enormous day, during this stretch, burying his second tally of the game in the 73rd minute of a Krew Verratti assist to give the Blue Devils a 3-2 lead.
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With the strong defensive performance holding the Seahawks in check, junior forward Scotty Taylor added an insurance goal for Duke in the 83rd minute to take a 4-2 lead. Senior defender Ian Murphy picked up the assist, for his first of the exhibition slate.
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The Blue Devils will complete their exhibition road trip on Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. with a battle at No. 24 High Point. The match will be the final one before the Blue Devils host NC State for a home exhibition on Friday, Aug. 20.Â
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To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMSOC".
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#GoDuke
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The game got off to an electric start, with the Seahawks striking first on a 13th minute goal by Cannon Tootle, on just the second shot of the match. However, Duke's first shot of the game proved just as fruitful, with freshman midfielder Felix Barajas scoring his first goal as a Blue Devil in the 19th minute on a Thorleifur Ulfarsson assist to tie the game.
Â
The Blue Devils generated positive momentum from the goal, putting the pressure on the Seahawks defense that culminated in freshman midfielder Ruben Mesalles's first goal in the 35th minute. However, the Seahawks secured a break, with a foul by Mesalles 23 seconds later resulting in a penalty kick goal by Jacob Evans to tie the game at 2-2.
Â
Unfazed by the response, the Blue Devils clamped down on the defensive end, holding the Seahawks without a shot on goal from that point on through the end of the match. Mesalles continued his enormous day, during this stretch, burying his second tally of the game in the 73rd minute of a Krew Verratti assist to give the Blue Devils a 3-2 lead.
Â
With the strong defensive performance holding the Seahawks in check, junior forward Scotty Taylor added an insurance goal for Duke in the 83rd minute to take a 4-2 lead. Senior defender Ian Murphy picked up the assist, for his first of the exhibition slate.
Â
The Blue Devils will complete their exhibition road trip on Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. with a battle at No. 24 High Point. The match will be the final one before the Blue Devils host NC State for a home exhibition on Friday, Aug. 20.Â
Â
To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMSOC".
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#GoDuke
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Team Stats
Duke
UNCW
Goals
4
2
Shots
10
5
Shots on Goal
9
3
Saves
1
5
Corners
11
6
Fouls
16
11
Scoring Plays
Cannon Tootle (1)
Assisted By: Nicolas Molina
Rebound of shot by Molina that was saved; goal scored under GK on ground
12:11
Felix Barajas (1)
Assisted By: Thorleifur Ulfarsson
Bad clear by UNCW went to #7, who found #19 on far side; #19 shot from sharp angle to top right corner
18:33
Ruben Mesalles (2)
GOAL by Duke Mesalles, Ruben.
34:41
Jacob Evans
UNCW Jacob Evans PENALTY KICK GOAL.
35:04
Ruben Mesalles (2)
Assisted By: Krew Verratti
GOAL by Duke Mesalles, Ruben Assist by Verratti, Krew.
72:42
Scotty Taylor (1)
Assisted By: Ian Murphy
GOAL by Duke Taylor, Scotty Assist by Murphy, Ian.
82:40
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
3
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's SoccerM
/ Men's Soccer
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