As their season reaches its peak, the Blue Devils will have to reduce self-made errors and put the pieces of the puzzle together in order to have a chance at a long and successful postseason.
After a disappointing loss to a defensively talented Virginia squad last Sunday, snapping a seven-game winning streak, the 15th-ranked Blue Devils’ schedule will not lighten up as they take on No. 21 N.C. State this Thursday night in Raleigh at Dail Soccer Field.
Playing a full 90-minute match with limited mistakes is something Duke has struggled with this season, which was highlighted by an own goal against Virginia. Going into their next matchup against another ranked opponent, the Blue Devils hope to learn from their mistakes and prove that they can compete with the best in the nation.
“You have setbacks playing, and you have to respond,” head coach Robbie Church said after Sunday’s match. “We have to be able to learn...we can play better.”
While the Wolfpack won’t be its hardest test this season, Duke will still need to stay focused in order to leave Raleigh with a victory and get back on track. N.C. State has not played a significantly difficult schedule thus far, with the Blue Devils being just the third ranked team it will face. The Wolfpack have stepped up to the plate when called upon, defeating both of their ranked opponents.
Against Duke, N.C. State (8-2-1, 1-1-0 in the ACC) should be able to handle the pressure of such an important game, behind midfielder Tziarra King who already has six goals and three assists on the season. It is up to the Blue Devils’ stellar backline to shut down King and her counterparts Thursday night.
To assist in stopping the Wolfpack’s usual offensive success is redshirt sophomore Brooke Heinsohn, who has posted seven shutouts in her first eleven games starting in the box. Heinsohn has quickly become a defensive stalwart and has arguably been Duke’s most important piece throughout the year.
Though Duke’s impressive record (8-2-1, 2-1-0) is indication of a dominant, polished team, Church is aware of the fact that his squad has things to improve upon.
“We’ve got to be a better passing team against N.C. State and we’ve got to be a bit more dynamic in the final third,” Church said.
The Blue Devils are talented, but inconsistent on offense, scoring in large quantities against some teams and struggling to find the back of the net against others. Their problem however, has nothing to do with how many good chances they have in the box, but rather stems from their issues with finishing. In its two losses and its tie against Georgetown this season, Duke shot 37 times but only scored two goals.
“We’re going to create chances against anybody in the country, but once we create those opportunities and get them we’ve got to get them wider,” Church said. “We’ve got to be on our feet and finish the opportunities when they’re there.”
Efficiency near the goal will be important against an N.C. State squad that has limited its opponents to just 41 shots on goal for the entire season. If Duke can figure out how to convert on its opportunities at a higher rate, the Wolfpack’s defense will find it hard to slow down the Blue Devils’ more aggressive players such as senior Kayla McCoy, who has four goals this season off of 29 shots.
If Duke can bounce back from a subpar performance to defeat an elite team like N.C. State, the Blue Devils will prove to themselves and the nation that they have what it takes to beat the best.
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