Although the Blue Devils have scored just once in their last three games, they have a chance to ignite their offense Tuesday against an unranked nonconference opponent.
After getting shut out against then-No. 25 Boston College and then-No. 12 Wake Forest, Duke will look to bounce back Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Georgia Southern at Koskinen Stadium. The Blue Devils actually created chances in the second half against the Demon Deacons Friday after going down 2-0, but have struggled to finish plays past opposing goalkeepers.
Duke head coach John Kerr had a simple solution for his team's offensive woes after the game.
“Our reaction in the second half was much better,” Kerr said. “We just got to execute, concentrate.”
Friday was a continuation of a season-long trend, with the Blue Devils (2-2-1) unable to generate any shots on goal in the first half. Through five games, 51 of Duke’s 74 shots, six of its seven goals, and 23 of its 32 corners have come after halftime.
One of the Blue Devils' most dangerous offensive players, junior Cameron Moseley, left Friday's game with a leg injury, but Kerr said he thought the midfielder would be available Tuesday and that he was not too concerned given Duke's depth. The Blue Devils have gotten in the habit of playing 15 to 18 players per game, with numerous underclassmen coming off the bench and still getting comfortable.
Duke hopes that depth can wear down the Eagles (3-3-1), who have played two goalkeepers early in the season and allow 1.4 goals per game.
“We really believe in our pressing game, and if we can win the ball high, then we’ll have chances,” graduate student Ryan Thompson said after Friday's game. “Our offense comes from our defense, so when we’re pressing hard, we think we’ll have opportunities.”
The most likely candidates to finish those opportunities and spark the Blue Devils are junior Brian White and freshman Suniel Veerakone, who lead the team with a pair of goals apiece this season. Both players also led Duke's charge toward the end of Friday's game, sending numerous balls into the box to put pressure on the Wake Forest defense in the second half.
Against UNC-Asheville Aug. 28—the only time the Blue Devils have scored multiple goals in a game this season—Veerakone notched two second-half goals on free kicks, fueling Duke's 5-1 win.
For the Blue Devils to have similar success against Georgia Southern, they will need their defense to continue giving the team chances. Duke's back line has been among the best in the ACC, allowing just five goals through five games anchored by graduate student goalkeeper Robert Moewes, who has 22 saves this season.
The Blue Devil defense will likely key on Georgia Southern forward Blake Wilson, who has scored six of the team’s 10 goals this year—including both of the team’s tallies in its 2-1 victory against Mercer Saturday night. Unlike Duke, the Eagles have not taken as long to get Wilson and their offense going, scoring four first-half goals on 37 shots this season, compared to just one goal on 23 shots for the Blue Devils.
That is why ahead of a Friday night tilt against Pittsburgh, Duke is being careful not to look past its next opponent.
“We got to take it with the same mindset [as] a Friday night ACC game,” Thompson said. “Every game is just as important, if not even more important.... [Georgia Southern] is a good program, and they’ll come here wanting to knock down an ACC team.”
Amrith Ramkumar contributed reporting.
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