Blue Devils Wrap Up Exhibition Slate Against NC State

DURHAM – Duke men's soccer is returning home for its first match at Koskinen Stadium as it hosts NC State at 7 p.m. on Friday for its final exhibition game.

Coming off a 2-0 win against No. 24 High Point in the final road exhibition game of the year, Friday's contest against the Wolfpack will serve as the final tune up game before the regular season opener against Liberty on Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Quick Facts

The Blue Devils have opened their exhibition slate with a 2-0-1 record and will look to go undefeated in exhibition play for the first time since 2014.
The Blue Devils defeated a ranked opponent their last time out, winning 2-0 at No. 24 High Point in the final road exhibition game.
Head Coach John Kerr enters his 14th season at the helm of the program. Kerr has compiled a career record of 203-155-45 and 122-96-32 at Duke.
The Blue Devils are looking to improve on their regular season record of 4-10-3 from last season, returning six of their 10 top point scorers.
Duke has had at least one All-ACC honoree in every season since 1976, including every season of Kerr's tenure.

Opponent History

The Blue Devils are 54-21-9 against the Wolfpack in the series that dates to the first meeting in 1950.
The two teams last met just over five months ago, with the clubs battling to a 0-0, 2OT draw on Apr. 3, 2021, in the regular season.
Duke is not scheduled to face the Wolfpack during the 2021 regular season, giving the Blue Devils their only match against the ACC foe.

What to Watch For

After a breakout freshman season, sophomore Thorleifur Ulfarsson has continued his fast start in the preseason. The Kopavogur, Iceland native scored the second goal of the day at No. 24 High Point, giving him points in three straight preseason games. Ulfarsson also scored the lone goal against Coastal Carolina, while adding an assist against UNC-Wilmington.
Sophomore Peter Stroud was recently named to the ACC Preseason Watch List. It's been a strong start to the season for Stroud, who has taken on a key leadership role and as a midfield workhorse. While not credited for an assist at High Point, his brilliant pass fed Ulfarsson, who was able to spring free for the finishing goal.
After holding UNC-Wilmington without a shot on goal for just over 65 minutes in an Aug. 14 win, the Blue Devils kept up the defensive pressure. Duke limited High Point to four shots on goal, while goalies Grant Farley and Eliot Hamill made critical saves to keep the clean sheet.
The Blue Devils have won multiple games during the preseason for the first time since 2014 and are looking to equal 2014's final exhibition win total of three.