After a 1-0 loss to Clemson (10-5, 4-3 in the ACC) Friday night, 10th-ranked Duke (12-4, 5-2) felt pressure on a day that was supposed to be all about celebration. The Blue Devils responded with a Senior Day victory, routing Virginia Tech (8-6, 3-4) 9-3.
The Blue Devils started Sunday’s game with a flourish, marshaling five scoring chances in the first six minutes. After a Darby Kroyer goal, Virginia Tech’s Ashley Stinson knotted the score at one. From there, however, the Blue Devils’ offense exploded for two more first-half tallies and a six-goal onslaught in the second half.
Rebecca Moros sparked much of Duke’s offensive action, notching four assists.
“I was happy how we responded from Friday night’s game. Friday night was a disappointing loss,” head coach Robbie Church said. “We didn’t play the first half [against Clemson].”
Senior Casey McCluskey scored two goals in her final game at Koskinen Stadium, propelling her into a tie for the ACC lead in goals scored, with Stinson at 15.
“I really wanted to have a goal today,” McCluskey said. “In case it is my last game on this field, I’m glad I [scored].”
Seniors Kate Straka, who played the entire game in goal, and Lauren Simel both played well in their final game at home.
“It’s definitely a special day,” Simel said. “It’s always special to honor seniors. It’s crazy that it’s our turn.”
In one of the game’s many highlights, freshman Lorraine Quinn rainbowed a ball over a defender’s head. This stunt drew “oohs” and “aahs” from the crowd, but Quinn could not convert her shot, as it sailed wide of the net.
Although Duke had numerous offensive highlights against the Hokies, it could have used one in Friday’s game. Against Clemson, the Blue Devils came out passively and did not force the action. The Tigers got on the board in the ninth minute when Britten Meyer scored off of Jenny Anderson’s corner kick. It was early, but the goal was the deciding tally.
“We came out a little bit slow and got punished for it. We really weren’t as focused or as intense as we needed to be,” McCluskey said.
Once the Tigers scored, they altered their game plan, emphasizing defense. Instead of pushing the ball up, Clemson focused on clears and only generated a single shot in the second half.
The Blue Devils had ample scoring opportunities but could not convert. McCluskey and Kroyer each had two shots on goal, but Clemson’s goalies were superb. Lauren Johnston made three first-half saves and played well. Her second-half replacement Ashley Phillips, who had missed playing time because of a facial injury, was spectacular in net. She made numerous excellent plays on corner kicks, punching and grabbing any shots in her direction. Phillips snared Sarah McCabe’s shot from the 18-yard box with 25 minutes remaining to preserve the Tigers’ shutout.
“She’s a really good goalie. She played great,” McCluskey said.
With less than three minutes to play in the game, the Duke coaching staff appeared dismayed when they believed the ball glanced off a Clemson defender’s hand in the box.
The Blue Devils have two regular season games remaining, both ACC contests on the road. The Blue Devils at Maryland (5-4-3, 2-4-2) this Saturday and at #1 North Carolina (14-0-1,7-0) Thursday October 28th, followed by the ACC Tournament.
“We really need to win the next two games,” McCluskey said. “We can finish pretty high in the [ACC].”
NOTES
The Blue Devils set several records Sunday with their offensive outburst against the Hokies, including their he nine goals output, which tied the Duke record for goals in a game.
Casey McCluskey’s three points moved her into second place on Duke’s all-time points list, trailing only Kelly Cagle, formerly Walbert, who is now the head coach of Virginia Tech. McCluskey also trails Cagle in the record book for career goals. After two Sunday, McCluskey has 39, eight fewer than Cagle.
“Casey McCluskey is great,” Cagle said. “Records are made to be broken.”
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