Just three days into their preseason, the Blue Devils took to the road for their first exhibition game and passed their first test as a team, thanks to the play of a hometown hero.
Duke secured a 2-1 victory against the College of Charleston at Patriots Point Stadium in Charleston, S.C., Friday night. The Blue Devils got off to an early start with a goal from sophomore Jeremy Ebobisse in the seventh minute, and after the Cougars managed to tie the game in the beginning of the second half, Durham native Jared Rist assured Duke the win with his first goal as a Blue Devil.
To give both teams more time to see their rosters in action, the game featured the normal two 45-minute periods followed by a third 30-minute period. Duke took advantage right away when Ebobisse placed a rebounded save into the back of the net. The College of Charleston answered back early in the second period with a series that resulted in a goal by forward Hamilton Carlin in the 57th minute.
Later in the second period, Rist—a graduate transfer from Georgetown—scored an unassisted go-ahead goal in his first-ever appearance as a Blue Devil. The Cougars would not find an answer in the extra 30 minutes of play.
Duke will return home to host UNC Charlotte in its home debut Friday at 7 p.m. in its second and final exhibition game. The Blue Devils will officially kick off the season Aug. 28, hosting St. Mary’s in the John Rennie Nike Invitational.
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