After a 3-0 midweek win against Georgia State, the Blue Devils proved that their display of offensive firepower was no fluke.
Duke (3-3-0, 0-1-1 in the ACC) beat Clemson 2-0 Friday night with both sides seeking their first conference win. Although Clemson created some early chances, Blue Devil sophomore midfielder Riley Wolfe scored on a late cross and senior goalkeeper and captain James Belshaw put home a penalty kick to secure the victory.
Clemson (1-4-2, 0-1-1) defender Phanuel Kavita’s reckless tackle fewer than two minutes into the contest was cautioned with a yellow card, setting the tone for a physical and aggressive game. Possession went back and forth throughout much of the first half, but the Tigers mustered the more threatening opportunities behind the aggressive play of Manolo Sanchez and Austin Savage. Just two minutes before the end of the half, Sanchez slipped behind the Blue Devil defense with a threatening run. But Belshaw held strong as pressure from behind caused Sanchez to lose control of the ball before he could attempt a shot.
Despite some lackluster chance creation, Duke’s defense held firm under Belshaw’s leadership, and the Blue Devils had to be content going into the locker room at halftime tied 0-0.
“We needed the win. The performance wasn’t perfect, but it was a really good defensive performance and we conjured up some goals in the second half,” Kerr said. “We had some really good moments where we up for it, and we had some other moments where we were second best—we’ve got to correct that. Overall, I was very pleased with the effort and the attitude.”
Concerns aside, Kerr’s squad produced in the second half. Although Duke faced several yellow cards in somewhat dangerous positions, the defense continued its stout effort, including consecutive saves by Belshaw after a dangerous cross in the 60th minute.
Just 10 minutes later, the Blue Devils’ offense finally struck. Ryan Thompson took a corner in the 67th minute, playing a ball across the face of goal. Wolfe, a sophomore midfielder, showed impressive extension in getting his foot to the ball and crushing it into the net. It was Wolfe’s first score since missing the second half of last season with an injury.
“It means a lot coming off of an injury,” Wolfe said. “I think its going to kickstart me a little bit more. I’ve had a little more pop in my step. A couple people have told me that and I’ve felt the same.”
Four of Duke’s five corners came in the second half, demonstrating an improvement in productivity as the game went on.
Although offensive latency has been a concern for the Blue Devils, Wolfe and his fellow attackers began silencing their doubters.
“[The goal] was a huge relief. It kind of broke us through,” Wolfe said. “We were saying at halftime that once we got one it would lead to the next.”
Just three minutes later, the Blue Devils were able to build on their advantage. A deflected shot into the box beat Clemson keeper Chris Glodack, and was only kept out by a handball by Sanchez. Belshaw took the penalty, burying the shot into the left corner. Utilizing their extra man, Duke was able to maintain possession for the majority of the last 20 minutes, earning an important home victory.
More than 1,100 Duke fans made it out to Koskinen Stadium to see the Blue Devils earn their third consecutive home victory, moving the team up to fourth overall in the ACC standings.
“In two games [we’ve had ] two clean sheets, solid play at the back and we’ve scored five goals,” Belshaw said. “It’s massive going forward.”
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