No. 24 Duke Outlasts Michigan, 1-0

Thursday, September 2

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7 P.M.

Duke University

3-0-0, 0-0-0

Michigan

1-1-1, 0-0-0

Duke

Michigan

Photo by: Duke Athletics

No. 24 Duke Outlasts Michigan, 1-0

9/2/2021 10:33:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score BOX SCORE (PDF)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – No. 24 Duke men's soccer (3-0-0) earned its third-straight shutout to start the season after defeating Michigan (1-1-1) 1-0 on Thursday night at U-M Soccer Stadium.

Freshman Ruben Mesalles scored his first collegiate goal in the 58th minute off a brilliant cross from senior Conor Kelly, who picked up his third point of the year. Senior goalie Eliot Hamill made two saves for his second consecutive shutout between the posts.

Kelly earned several great chances for the Blue Devil early in the game, with his best coming in the 13th minute. Freshman Jai Bean broke loose after a free kick from sophomore Peter Stroud and had enough space to fire in a cross. Kelly, who was streaking toward goal on the play, connected on a header at close range, but Michigan goalkeeper Owen Finnerty came up with the save to keep the score even.

Hamill made an impressive save of his own in the 21st minute, hugging the right post to swallow up a driven shot from Michigan's Derick Broche to keep the game knotted at 0-0.

The Blue Devils stepped up their offensive pressure in the second half and opened the frame with multiple shots. The first one was an opportunity by Mesalles but he was stopped by Finnerty.

Fortunately, he would not be denied on his second attempt a few minutes later. Michigan failed to clear the ball away from goal and Kelly recovered it and immediately booted a cross to the left side of the box. Mesalles then buried a header into the top left-hand corner past the outstretched arms of Finnerty to give the visitors a 1-0 edge.

For Mesalles, it continues a strong start to his first collegiate campaign, after adding his first collegiate assist in the season-opening win against Liberty. Mesalles finished Thursday's contest with a game-high five shots.

Duke's defense then tightened up and limited the Wolverines to just one shot throughout the remainder of the game.

The Blue Devils would register 12 shots, six on goal, during the contest and held the Wolverines to seven total shots and two on frame.

Duke returns to Koskinen Stadium on Monday when it welcomes Seattle at 7 p.m.

To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMSOC".

#GoDuke