It was just one year ago that the fourth-ranked Blue Devils defeated the top-ranked Clemson Tigers 2-0 in the ACC opener.
But this year is a different story.
Following a hurricane-shortened week of practice, the Blue Devils (3-0-2) traveled to Clemson Saturday to face the slumping Tigers (1-3-1) and avenge a 1-0 loss in the finals of last year's ACC Championships.
Both teams battled for 90 minutes of regulation and 15 minutes of sudden death overtime, but neither team could tally so much as a single goal and the Blue Devils left Clemson with a 0-0 tie-their second of the season.
It was the third overtime game in a row for Duke.
In a game that the Tigers could not afford to lose, they responded well by outshooting the Blue Devils 20-9, nearly equaling the 23 shots Duke had given up prior to Saturday's contest.
The nine shots by the Blue Devils represented their lowest output of the season and was less than half of the 20 shots per game the club had been averaging.
"Clemson was in a desperation situation and played a very physical game," coach John Rennie said. "Clemson really fought extremely hard and played a great game; on the other hand we played an average game. But I'm happy with our performance."
Throughout the game, both teams had good scoring chances but were unable to convert on the opportunities. Several shots hit the posts and crossbars, while the goalies of both teams made some great saves as well.
"We played a great game defensively," Rennie said. "Clemson really put a lot of pressure on us and by the overtime period we were run-down physically. I was very happy coming out of that game with a tie."
With Clemson playing a rough and physical game, it was critical that Rennie keep fresh legs in the game at all times. So with the Blue Devils lagging in the first half, Rennie inserted defenseman Ryan Furgurson.
It proved to be the appropriate countermeasure to the Tiger game plan.
"Midway through the first half, I put [Furgurson] into the game and he really played well," said Rennie. "He and the rest of the defense did a great job in handling Clemson's physical style of play."
While Furgurson was able to handle Clemson's attack, junior Ali Curtis and the offense continued to struggle.
Going into Saturday night's game, Duke led the ACC in goals scored with 15, while Clemson was ranked last with only five. But the Tigers managed to keep the Blue Devils shuffling backwards in defense, instead of pressing toward the goal. Even Curtis, the ACC's leading goal scorer, was unable to find the back of the net.
With the tie, the Blue Devils remain undefeated, but in a wide-open ACC, missed opportunities may soon start to mount.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.