Two years ago, Schuyler DeBree lost her sophomore season when she tore her ACL at Newton Campus Soccer Complex.
Her second trip to the same field couldn't have been more different.
DeBree scored the game-winner in the fourth-ranked Blue Devils' 2-1 victory at Boston College Thursday in Chestnut Hill, Mass., on a free kick from just in front of midfield. The ball sailed high in the air and kept carrying over goalkeeper Alexis Bryant's head for DeBree's first career goal.
"She’s been outstanding all year long for us," Duke head coach Robbie Church said. "To see her score her first college goal, game-winner, back at BC, it was just poetic justice how she has just worked hard for those two years since the injury at this field and turned herself into the quality player that she is now."
DeBree told the broadcast crew after the game that she did not mean to take a shot on goal, but Church noted that sending balls deep into the box was part of the scouting report.
"We had talked about the keeper has let a number of goals go over her, and it was a ball in the area that we really wanted the ball to be served in," Church said. "It just kept carrying."
The Blue Devils' 15th straight victory did not come as easily as most of the first 14, with the host Eagles outshooting the visitors 18-13. But Boston College (9-7-1, 3-4-1 in the ACC) only put of its five shots on goal, all off the foot of freshman Sam Coffey.
Duke (15-1-0, 8-0-0) came out of the gates fast with a goal in the fourth minute, a far different start than its scoreless first half last weekend against Miami. Senior Imani Dorsey carried the ball up the middle from midfield and delivered a well-timed through ball to sophomore Taylor Racioppi, who made a run behind the defense down the right side. Racioppi then beat Bryant with a shot to the far post for her third tally of the year.
"An absolutely beautiful goal—beautiful timed run that Taylor made. Imani gave her a great ball," Church said. "That was a really, really class goal, and that puts them on their back foot when we’re up front."
But Boston College pressed forward more after the opening score and eventually found an equalizer about half an hour later. The Eagles drew a foul just outside the 18-yard box, and Coffey's free kick sailed past goalkeeper EJ Proctor into the left side of the net.
It was the first goal the Blue Devils have given up in October and just the ninth goal they have allowed all season.
"There were some times to be honest that we just didn’t do as well as we’re capable of doing from a defensive standpoint," Church said. "We’ve got to continue to go back and work harder defensively. I think we gave up a lot of shots, but not a lot of dangerous opportunities."
DeBree's spectacular goal came in the 62nd minute, and the Blue Devils had plenty of chances to add more throughout the night. But Bryant made diving saves on shots from Racioppi and Ella Stevens, and Dorsey had a shot blocked by a Boston College defender in front of the net.
Two goals were enough for Duke, though, as a last-minute chance for the Eagles came up empty.
The Blue Devils will remain on the road for a quick turnaround at Syracuse Sunday, the first time they have played back-to-back games away from home all year. With just two games left in the regular season, Duke is tied with North Carolina for the top spot in the ACC and well-positioned for a top seed in both the ACC and NCAA tournaments.
"That’s one of the things that I’ve been most amazed with with this group. No question, it’s hard when you’re playing a team that is fighting for their lives on their home field," Church said. "It’s tough in this league to survive, but our kids have done a great job."
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