Duke Falls to Grand Canyon on Friday

Friday, August 30

Cary, N.C.

7 p.m.

Duke University

1-1-1, 0-0-0

Grand Canyon

2-0-0, 0-0-0

Grand Canyon

Duke

Duke Falls to Grand Canyon on Friday

8/30/2024 10:41:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

CARY, N.C. – Duke men's soccer (1-1-1) fell to Grand Canyon (2-0-0), 3-2 on Friday evening at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The loss is the first for the Blue Devils in 2024. The Lopes opened the scoring with two first-half goals before Duke stormed back late to cut the deficit to 3-2.

Graduate Colton Pleasants tallied his first goal in a Blue Devils uniform, taking the penalty kick in the 56th minute and beating the Grand Canyon keeper to the bottom right corner of the net. Senior Ruben Mesalles cut the Lopes lead to one goal late in the contest, bending his corner kick into the back of the net.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After 25 minutes of back-and-forth attacking by both sides, Grand Canyon opened the scoring as Bright Nutormutsi drove through the middle of the pitch and slotted home a right-footed shot, 1-0.
Nutormutsi doubled the Grand Canyon lead just before the half, tallying his second goal of the night in the 43rd minute, 2-0.
The Blue Devils led the shot totals after the first 45 minutes of play, 7-4, and outshot the Lopes 18-5 in the match.
Duke opened the second half spending nearly the entire first 10 minutes in the Lopes half, before Duke was awarded a penalty kick in the 56th minute. Graduate transfer Colton Pleasants netted his first Blue Devils goal and first for the squad, beating the Grand Canyon keeper to the bottom right corner, 2-1.
An own goal in the 64th minute extended the Lopes lead to 3-1.
Late in the second half, senior Ruben Mesalles hooked his corner kick into the back of the net for his first goal of the season, 3-2.
In the final three minutes of play, the Blue Devils lived in the attacking third of the Lopes, peppering the Grand Canyon keeper, but could not find the back of the net.

NOTES

Graduate transfer Colton Pleasants tallied his first career goal in a Duke uniform, converting on the Blue Devils penalty kick in the 56th minute.
Senior Ruben Mesalles tallied his eighth career goal in a Blue Devils uniform and his first of the season on Friday. Mesalles has scored at least a goal in all four seasons with Duke.
Duke had five players record all 90 minutes of action on Friday in Cary.
The 18 shots taken by the Blue Devils are the second most this season, trailing the mark of 20 registered against UC San Diego on opening weekend.

UP NEXT

The Blue Devils return to Koskinen Stadium for the first time in 2024 on Sunday, hosting Averett as part of a doubleheader with the women's team. Kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m.

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

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

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