Upcoming Event: Men's Soccer versus Elon on October 7, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Men's Soccer
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Greenwell Blog: Survive & Advance to Sweet 16
DURHAM, N.C. -- It's my first big dance and I'm loving every minute of it. This really is my favorite time of year and there’s only one thing on my mind...Survive and Advance! Making it to the Sweet Sixteen after surviving two rounds, one especially close call against Albany ... and a less nerve-wracking win against a tough Mississippi State team, is more than an amazing feeling, it's an incredible one!
After President Obama chose Mississippi State to beat us in his bracket, it made the win even sweeter. We played a much better second round game against the Bulldogs, after getting all of the jitters out of our system in the first game against a feisty Albany team.
I admit that Albany outplayed us in our first round game, mainly due to the fact our turnovers were atrocious, but we somehow found a way out. None of us wanted it to end that way, especially our seniors on our home court, so we found a way to keep fighting to the end.
The last minute of that game was probably one of the most stressful minutes of my life, as our fans can probably attest to as well. It started when we were down by two with about 20 seconds to go. Elizabeth was at the line for two free throws, missed her first, then Coach P made a smart call for Elizabeth to purposefully miss the second because we had the possession and a size advantage.
Elizabeth missed it perfectly and tied it up for a jump ball! Giving it back to us for the inbounds play. We then ran a partly free-lanced play where I ran off a good screen from Elizabeth, caught a nice pass from Ka’lia and quickly turned and launched a deep three-pointer with many prayers sent up a long with it. Somehow, with 14 seconds to go, it went in! Giving us a one-point lead that followed with a defensive stop by us, a free throw from Azura, then a missed wide open three-pointer from them.
It was a definite “March Madness” game that’s for sure, but I have to give our fans credit too, their energy really kept us in. Winning games with a last three-point shot or from clutch free throws with only seconds left on the clock is not really my favorite way to win any game, especially not a huge tournament game! I know the fans and media love it, but I prefer a nice comfortable lead with room to breathe. I'd say Coach P would also agree.
Our squad has been battle tested to say the least this year! I think we've been in every imaginable or unimaginable position (however you want to look it), with injuries, losses to unranked teams, you name it. But the thing is, we have persevered through it all and we are still rolling. Those games are what make us the perfect candidates to surprise some people in this tournament.
We are a hard-working group of youth combined with veteran leaders and I'd like to think we feed off each other's strengths and support. We've learned a lot about our potential as a team and we have each made significant contributions to get us to this point. There is no room for egos or drama in this arena. Our chemistry in these past two games has become very clear. We are a team with the same goal, and we’re heading out to Spokane, Washington on Thursday with the goal of reaching a Final Four in mind. We may not be the favorite to win it, but don't ever count us out. We might just end up being everyone’s 'bracket buster'! That's March Madness for you!
Go Duke!
Rebecca Greenwell
After President Obama chose Mississippi State to beat us in his bracket, it made the win even sweeter. We played a much better second round game against the Bulldogs, after getting all of the jitters out of our system in the first game against a feisty Albany team.
I admit that Albany outplayed us in our first round game, mainly due to the fact our turnovers were atrocious, but we somehow found a way out. None of us wanted it to end that way, especially our seniors on our home court, so we found a way to keep fighting to the end.
The last minute of that game was probably one of the most stressful minutes of my life, as our fans can probably attest to as well. It started when we were down by two with about 20 seconds to go. Elizabeth was at the line for two free throws, missed her first, then Coach P made a smart call for Elizabeth to purposefully miss the second because we had the possession and a size advantage.
Elizabeth missed it perfectly and tied it up for a jump ball! Giving it back to us for the inbounds play. We then ran a partly free-lanced play where I ran off a good screen from Elizabeth, caught a nice pass from Ka’lia and quickly turned and launched a deep three-pointer with many prayers sent up a long with it. Somehow, with 14 seconds to go, it went in! Giving us a one-point lead that followed with a defensive stop by us, a free throw from Azura, then a missed wide open three-pointer from them.
It was a definite “March Madness” game that’s for sure, but I have to give our fans credit too, their energy really kept us in. Winning games with a last three-point shot or from clutch free throws with only seconds left on the clock is not really my favorite way to win any game, especially not a huge tournament game! I know the fans and media love it, but I prefer a nice comfortable lead with room to breathe. I'd say Coach P would also agree.
Our squad has been battle tested to say the least this year! I think we've been in every imaginable or unimaginable position (however you want to look it), with injuries, losses to unranked teams, you name it. But the thing is, we have persevered through it all and we are still rolling. Those games are what make us the perfect candidates to surprise some people in this tournament.
We are a hard-working group of youth combined with veteran leaders and I'd like to think we feed off each other's strengths and support. We've learned a lot about our potential as a team and we have each made significant contributions to get us to this point. There is no room for egos or drama in this arena. Our chemistry in these past two games has become very clear. We are a team with the same goal, and we’re heading out to Spokane, Washington on Thursday with the goal of reaching a Final Four in mind. We may not be the favorite to win it, but don't ever count us out. We might just end up being everyone’s 'bracket buster'! That's March Madness for you!
Go Duke!
Rebecca Greenwell
