Ajago Secures Hat Trick, No. 4 Duke Wins 6-0

Sunday, August 27

Durham, N.C.

2:30 p.m.

Duke University

2-0-0, 0-0-0

Furman

1-1-0, 0-0-0

Furman

Duke

Ajago Secures Hat Trick, No. 4 Duke Wins 6-0

8/27/2023 6:26:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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DURHAM – A hat trick by Forster Ajago helped lift the No. 4 Duke men's soccer team to a 6-0 victory over Furman on Sunday afternoon at Koskinen Stadium. Ajago, a graduate transfer from Dayton, logged the program's first hat trick since 2021 and was joined in the scoresheet by Fahmi Ibrahim – who finished with a brace – and Jai Bean.

The Blue Devils take home the 2023 John Rennie Invitational trophy after an unblemished 2-0-0 record over the weekend, including a goal differential of plus-eight. Ajago was named MVP of the event and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by his teammates Nick Pariano, Antino Lopez and Julian Eyestone.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The match established an early theme of physicality, with five fouls and a yellow card within the first 10 minutes.
The first shot of the afternoon by either team found the back of the net, with Forster Ajago heading in a corner from Nick Pariano to take an early lead, 1-0.
Freshman goalkeeper Julian Eyestone made two saves in the opening 45 minutes of play, including a diving stop after a Furman header from just outside the six-yard box.
Ajago secured his brace just over 90 seconds into the second half, heading in a Ruben Mesalles cross that was set up by Kenan Hot.
Jai Bean added Duke's third goal of the match, slotting home his first of the 2023 campaign with a left-footed shot from 12 yards out.
The Blue Devils scored three goals in the closing minutes of the match, with Ajago finishing off his hat trick from the penalty spot in the 77th minute and Fahmi Ibrahim subbing on and scoring two goals in the 87th minute.

NOTES

The six goals by Duke marks the first time the team has scored six times in a match since Oct. 16, 2015, when the Blue Devils defeated NC State, 6-2.
Forster Ajago secured the first Duke hat trick since Thorleifur Ulfarsson scored three goals against Howard on Sept. 28, 2021.
The brace by Fahmi Ibrahim is the first of his career and is the first brace by a Duke player since last season, when Shakur Mohammed scored twice against George Washington on Oct. 18, 2022.
Julian Eyestone recorded the first shutout of his career, making a total of five saves.
In a physical match, the two teams combined for 39 fouls and eight yellow cards.

QUOTES

"[Forster Ajago] had a couple really good opportunities on Friday. And you saw that he's going to be a handful. Really happy for him. He's hungry. … Happy with his attitude, his approach and for sure he's going to get goals for us this season" – head coach John Kerr on Ajago's hat trick on Sunday
"I like the number of really good players that we have and the number of players that have first-team experience. We have a lot of guys that would normally start in some years and have started in the past, but they're certainly coming off the bench and giving us a lift. And it just shows that we've done a really good job of recruiting and helping guys develop. It's really nice to have a nice blend of older guys, experienced guys and some younger guys that are coming in and helping right away." – Kerr on how the team has demonstrated its depth through the first two matches
"It's a big milestone for the boys and I. A lot of hard work has been going in this preseason and just coming together for our first of hopefully many [shutouts] and I think it's a really special group. Lot of great work, lot of hard work. Looking forward to the rest of the season." – freshman goalkeeper Julian Eyestone on his first career shutout.

UP NEXT

Duke welcomes Wofford to Koskinen Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 31, to wrap up the season-opening three-game homestand. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., with fans also able to watch on ACC Network Extra.

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

#GoDuke