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Duke men's soccer gets early goals to knock off Virginia, move back to .500 in league play

<p>Goalkeeper Will Pulisic was stalwart on defense against Virginia, holding off the Cavalier offense to give Virginia their first loss of the season.</p>

Goalkeeper Will Pulisic was stalwart on defense against Virginia, holding off the Cavalier offense to give Virginia their first loss of the season.

After struggling offensively in recent weeks, unable to finish in the final third, the Blue Devils regained their stride with a 2-0 upset of No. 10 Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. 

The No. 23 Blue Devils had not notched a win at Klöckner Stadium since 2009. The Cavaliers and Duke both had four shots on goal, with Virginia outshooting the Blue Devils 9-5 overall, but Duke’s only two shots in the first half both resulted in goals.

Defensively, Blue Devil goalkeeper Will Pulisic had a terrific game, keeping the Virginia offense scoreless and earning his ninth shutout.

Duke (6-3-1, 2-2-0 in the ACC) came out aggressive and driving to the goal in the first few minutes of the game, with Issa Rayyan drawing a penalty kick. Daniele Proch found the back of the net, putting the Blue Devils up 1-0 and tallying his team-leading ninth goal on the season.

Rayyan had a hand in setting up the next goal as well, drawing a foul 22 yards from the goal. Max Moser took the free kick, setting Matthias Frick up for a header that put Duke in front 2-0 in the 18th minute.

The Blue Devils’ powerhouse offense was able to put two away against a Virginia defense that had only allowed two goals on the season so far. Although the Cavaliers had scored 11 goals in eight games, the Blue Devils—led by Pulisic—kept them scoreless.

Duke's defense handled a dangerous free kick in the 10th minute, a Virginia shot in front of the goal in the 30th minute, and back-to-back corner kicks in the 53rd minute. In the 71st minute of the match, Pulisic had a sensational save, stretching to keep Virginia at bay and his chance at a shutout alive.

Virginia (6-1-2, 2-1-1) came out ready to fight in the second half, but to no avail. The Cavaliers held the majority of possession, got off more shots and disrupted Duke’s chances at a third goal. Proch had a header right at the goalie in the opening minute of the second half, and then again in the 65th minute.

The game was riddled with fouls on both sides, with the teams totaling 31 whistles. Both teams had players red carded in the 82nd minute and finished the match with 10 men.

As the minutes ticked away, Virginia got desperate, and one of its last chances at a goal went flying over the crossbar—allowing Duke to upset its ACC foe.

The Blue Devils will get a break from ACC play with a game against Campbell at home Tuesday night. 

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