CARY, N.C. - In its second straight game against a top-11 opponent, the ninth-ranked Duke women's soccer team suffered the same result, a 1-0 loss at No. 8 Boston College Friday. But the Blue Devils rebounded Sunday, as they defeated N.C. State, 1-0, in Cary.
Coupled with Duke's 1-0 loss against No. 11 Virginia Sept. 25, Friday's shutout marked the first time since 1998-and the first time in head coach Robbie Church's five-year tenure-that the team was held scoreless in consecutive games.
Boston College (8-1-1, 2-1 in the ACC) came out aggressively and created several scoring opportunities within the first few minutes, including a Caitlin Hill shot that sailed just wide of the goal.
The Eagles continued to attack, sending six shots toward goalkeeper Allison Lipsher, two of which were on goal, in the first half alone.
But at halftime, the game was still scoreless as both teams had missed on a number of opportunities. Duke (8-2-1, 2-2-0) had the same fortune in the second half, finishing the game with 12 shots.
"I think we've been really unlucky," midfielder Darby Kroyer said. "[The ball has been] deflecting off of people, hitting the post and things like that. We've come close so many times in so many games, we just need to capitalize a little bit better"
The Eagles broke the tie in the 51st minute when defender Lindsay McArdle sent a free kick from 25 yards out into the box, where an awaiting Maddie Johnson headed it home.
Duke could not convert the rest of the game, as Boston College goalkeeper Arianna Criscione recorded five saves.
"We worked so hard and were so aggressive but our touches were just off all around the field," defender Kate Seibert said.
The Blue Devils had very little time to dwell on the loss as they returned to North Carolina to play N.C. State (5-6, 1-2) Sunday.
"That was the most brutal trip I've ever seen, especially when North Carolina State hasn't played in a week," Church said. "We showed heart and we showed character and that will carry us a long way."
Within the first four minutes of the game, Duke had erased all thoughts of a third consecutive shutout. Kroyer fired a pass downfield to Seibert, who found herself alone in a faceoff with Wolfpack goalie Kim Selz. The senior tri-captain launched a shot from ten yards out into the right corner of the net, for her second goal of the season and 11th of her career.
"Darby played an awesome ball in so it was a pretty simple finish," Seibert said. "I just tried to stay calm because I have been having a little trouble getting my finishing back. So it was nice to get an easy one."
Duke never let up in the game, maintaining control of the ball and peppering the Wolfpack goalie with 16 shots.
N.C. State's best scoring opportunity came with just under eight minutes remaining in the first half as Kasie Shover sent a header that sailed just above the crossbar. The Wolfpack only registered six shots throughout the game.
"For us to bounce back after two disappointing, one-goal losses against top-ten teams is absolutely unbelievable and I'm just very very proud of the girls," Church said.
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