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Game commentary
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Graceful men's soccer crushed by physical Cavaliers**
No one should be disheartened about the loss to Virginia. The players should not be down and the fans should not feel too bad either.
Perhaps the toil of playing twice in less than 24 hours took its toll on Duke in its game against the Cavaliers.
The adrenaline which UVa and the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament calls forth was unfortunately not enough. Maybe against lesser opponents, but not against the four-time defending champions, who incidentally are unbeaten this season and favored again.
Many of Duke's starting 11 have played 90-minute games all season long, while the rested Cavs possess more experience and ability among their backups.
UVa also did what it thought works against Duke.
In the regular-season clash, the Blue Devils made UVa look like a high school team during the first half, and an ordinary one at that. The Cavaliers then arose from halftime more physical, bringing the game down to their level, making the game more even.
On Friday night, Virginia continued that game plan and Duke failed to adapt. The book on the Blue Devils, as is the book on every finesse team which plays with short passes and individual flair, is to step on their toes and not allow them time on the ball. Hurry their passes, force them to think faster, make the first touch crucial. Whatever it takes to stifle their skills.
Putting players on the ground helps too. After all, you cannot dribble and dazzle when you are on your back or writhing in pain. Brian Kelly, Duke's star in the first round against Wake Forest, seldom found time or space to settle on the ball.
Duke's forwards were closely shadowed all night. Tackles came in fast and hard. Midfielder Kevin Stein had to be carried off the field. He suffered an injury to his right ankle after getting caught in a tackle and is questionable for the NCAA tournament.
The referee wore orange in the semifinal game because the customary all-black uniform clashed with the teams' colors. But after watching his inconsistency, I am not sure if he forced the teams into their alternate stripes because he insisted on putting on Virginia colors.
Yet blame is not Duke's style. The home team in the end failed to convert the chances it created. On the other hand, the Cavs used the ones that fell their way efficiently. They also defended more stoutly in the midfield.
Too often the Blue Devils allowed their opponent's time in the middle third of the field, over-relying on their three backs, Craig Jeidy, Evan Whitfield and Sam Smith to make crucial tackles.
Virginia did not return those favors. They closed down the irrepressible Jay Heaps for much of the game. Although the ACC Rookie of the Year scored a goal, he was often outnumbered up front.
Heaps moved up to center-forward when Josh Henderson left the game. Trouble was, there was not another Jay Heaps at midfield to support him.
Duke coach John Rennie said the game was about taking advantage of scoring opportunities. So was the first game with the Cavs. Despite Duke's first period superiority, snuffed chances eventually undid the Blue Devils then as well.
What is encouraging though, is that Duke is creating those openings.
The Blue Devils are not a championship team yet. But they are good enough to be.
All they need to do is prove how good they are. All they need to do is get the job done.
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