Through the women's soccer teams' first six games, Duke had scored just eight goals despite outshooting its opponents 109-27.
Then Sept. 18 the Blue Devils' offense finally found the net, exploding for five goals against San Diego in the Duke/adidas Classic.
No. 7 Duke (6-0-1) hopes to carry its scoring momentum into its ACC opener tonight against Virginia Tech at 7 p.m.
"We knew that we were going to break out," head coach Robbie Church said. "We had some people really step forward and take responsibility. We got a great early goal by Rebecca Moros, and I think that got everybody's confidence going. We have the ability to score goals, and I hope that we will be able to do that consistently."
The Hokies come to Koskinen Stadium boasting a 4-3-1 record, but have had scoring woes of their own. Through eight contests, Virginia Tech has found the net just eight times, including three goals from the 2004 ACC Freshman of the Year Ashley Stinson.
The Hokies head coach, Kelly Cagle, is a familiar face in Durham. She graduated from Duke in 1996 as a four-year letterwinner in soccer and was the 1995 ACC Player of the Year. Cagle is still the Blue Devils' all-time leader in points and goals, and is second in assists.
Last year, the Blue Devils defeated the Hokies, 9-3, at home, but they expect a tougher match tonight, Church said.
"It was one of those games in which everything we hit went into the goal," Church said. "They are going to come with a little bit of vengeance on their minds."
The Blue Devils need no reminders of how difficult ACC play can be. In 2004 Duke finished the season 15-8, but posted a 5-4 record in the conference.
Presently, six of the top 13 teams in the NSCAA poll are from the ACC.
"It's going to be a whole different level," said goalkeeper Allison Lipsher of entering league play. "We are going to have to step it up."
Lipsher has done her part, helping Duke post shutouts in five of the teams first seven games and allowing just two total goals.
And bolstering Duke's defense is Kate Seibert, who returned this past weekend from arthroscopic surgery on her left foot. The senior defender was named to the Soccer Buzz National Team of the Week after scoring one goal and assisting on another in the two contests this past weekend.
Coming off the team's most impressive showing of the season, several members of the Blue Devils said they are anxious to begin the ACC schedule.
"We know that all ACC games are very important," senior midfielder Carmen Bognanno said. "Nothing is guaranteed in the ACC, but we're real excited to get into that part of the season. It's the best part."
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