Blue Devils Fall, 2-1, in ACC Semifinals

Thursday, November 7

Durham, N.C.

8 p.m.

Duke University

14-2-1, 9-0-1

North Carolina

16-4-0, 7-3-0

North Carolina

Duke

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Blue Devils Fall, 2-1, in ACC Semifinals

11/8/2024 12:15:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery

CARY, N.C. – The fourth-seeded North Carolina women's soccer team scored a pair of second half goals en route to defeating top-seeded Duke, 2-1, in the semifinals of the ACC Championship on Thursday, which was played at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.

Duke held a 1-0 lead at the end of the first half off a penalty kick from Cameron Roller, but the Tar Heels posted goals in the 50th and 81st minutes to register the win. The loss for the Blue Devils was the first since the season opener at Ohio State. Duke moved to 14-2-1, while North Carolina improved to 16-4-0.

How It Happened

The Blue Devils had the first scoring chance early as graduate student Hannah Bebar sent a corner kick in from the left side that fell in front of the goal.In a scrum of players, Duke junior Farrah Walters had a shot that was saved off the line by a UNC defender.After a clear, Blue Devil graduate student Nicky Chico blasted a shot that went high over the crossbar.
At the 28:02 mark, the Blue Devils struck first as sophomore defender Cameron Roller buried a penalty kick to give Duke a 1-0 advantage. Fifth year Ella Hase was taken down on the left side of the box, but the foul wasn't originally called.The referee went back at a stoppage and awarded the Blue Devils the penalty.
Roller's goal was her fourth of the season and her first career penalty kick.
At the end of the first half, the Blue Devils and Tar Heels were knotted, 4-4, in shots.Walters led Duke with two with both being on goal.
Coming out in the second half, North Carolina was able to even the ledger at the 49:39 mark as Linda Ullmark fired a long-range attempt that went off Duke goalkeeper Leah Freeman's hands and into the goal.
In the 52nd minute, Bebar sent a cross into the box where junior Carina Lageyre fired a shot, while sophomore Mia Minestrella also registered two attempts, but all three shots were blocked.Hase also drove in a minute later and had a shot that was saved.
Duke nearly took the lead back in the 67th minute as Mia Oliaro served in a ball from the right that graduate student Maggie Graham got a head on, but it went just wide right.
Walters nearly had a goal at the 70:15 mark, but for the second time this match the attempt was saved off the line by a Tar Heel defender.
North Carolina took a 2-1 lead at the 80:02 ledger as Trinity Armstrong headed in a corner kick from Aria Nagai.
For the match, both teams finished with 13 shots each.

Notes

Junior Farrah Walters returned to the starting lineup, after coming off the bench the last two matches.
Duke scored a goal in the first half for the 15th time out of the last 17 contests and the fifth in a row.
The penalty kick goal for the Blue Devils marked the second over the last two games against the Tar Heels.
In all three meetings between Duke/UNC this year, the Blue Devils led 1-0 at the half.
Duke snapped a streak of 12 consecutive matches of scoring two or more goals.
Mia Oliaro had her streak of consecutive games with a goal or assist come to an end at nine, which tied a school record.
The Blue Devils fell to 16-32-4 in the ACC Tournament.
Duke dropped to 6-1-1 against ranked opponents.

Next Match

Duke will next await the NCAA Tournament selection show, which will take place Monday, Nov. 11 at 4 p.m., live on NCAA.com.

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

Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu

#GoDuke