Receiving defender Carolyn Ford's mid-air pass, Christie McDonald crisply headed the ball over Terrapin goalkeeper Nikki Resnick and into the left corner of the net with 40:25 to play in the first half. Although the women's soccer team was unable to score again, one goal was all they would need.
The impenetrable defense of the No. 6 Blue Devils took over the game, shutting down Maryland's offense, as the Blue Devils went on to win, 1-0, Sunday in Koskinen Stadium. The Terrapins did not register a shot in the first half and finished the game with just three shots on goal.
"We play really good team defense," McDonald said, "When we work together and cover for each other it helps a lot."
The contest between Duke (11-2-1, 4-2-0 in the ACC) and Maryland (4-9-2, 2-4-1) was not a high-scoring one, dominated by defensive play rather than flashy goals. In addition to praising Duke's strong defensive effort, head coach Robbie Church cited the importance of goalkeeping.
"We are very aware that for another team to score a goal it is going to have to be a good shot," Church said. "Allison [Lipsher] is going to make some good saves."
The momentum of the game swung against the Blue Devils in the second half when the Terrapins registered their first shot and then began making offensive runs toward the previously untouched Blue Devil defensive zone.
"I think we didn't play the best that we could have in the second half," McDonald said, "I think we didn't control it as well as we could have, but we still fought hard. They didn't have a shot in the first half and they got a few in the second, but I still think that we held our own for the most part."
The Blue Devils and Terrapins have a heated rivalry, marked by rough play, and Sunday's game was no exception. Between the two teams there were 25 fouls, and Resnick received a yellow card.
"Every game we have with Maryland is physical," Church said, "They always play hard. It disrupted the play at times."
Church said he has been more than satisfied with the way the Blue Devils have played as of late after starting the season with a disappointing 1-2 record
"I'm thrilled. It's a tough league," Church said, "In a sense we all kind of walked off a little bit and thought, 'Man, we could have scored a couple more goals, and we would have felt better.' But to get five wins in the league after seven matches-we still have three left-is big time.
"I'm extremely happy with everything. I'm happy defensively, offensively, we're scoring goals, and goalkeepers are playing well. I like where we are right now."
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