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Game commentary
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Men's soccer dazzles crowds with style**
I like this team. No, I really like this team.
In one of its most astounding efforts in recent years, the men's soccer team rallied from a 3-0 deficit midway through the second half to tie its game against UCLA with seven minutes left.
And Duke completed its amazing comeback by holding on for a 4-3 overtime win.
I will not waste time trying to think of new superlatives for Sunday's win. I must apologize, however, for doubting the Blue Devils. I thought being three goals down that late in the game would completely demoralize such a young and precocious team.
Duke started three freshmen, four sophomores, three juniors and only one senior in the weekend's play. I could not be any happier about being proven wrong.
But forget about the drama with which the Blue Devils downed the No. 2 Bruins. Even ignore, if you will, the fact that Duke's players ran just as hard towards the end of the game as they did in the beginning. That despite fielding virtually the same 11 men for two hours of play.
For I am still hung up on the manner and style in which this season's Blue Devils are playing.
While Jason Kreis--who graduated last year--was one of Duke's greatest scorers, his teams were never as offensively-minded. And while it was nice how Kreis' powerful boot effectively shortened every free-kick by 10 yards, I bet he often wished he did not have to carry the entire team on his shoulders and win games on his own. I bet he wishes he were playing for Duke this year.
The 1995 Blue Devils are asking the pollsters, "How dare you pick us No. 20 in the preseason?" Duke is 4-0, and it has scored 14 goals and is winning in style.
Every one of Duke's starters is excellent on the ball. National youth star Brian Kelly often attracts most of the attention. His irrepressible skills on the left mesmerize opposing defenders. Kevin Stein operates on the opposite flank.
Stein's ubiquitous presence on the right provides a rich source of Duke's creativity. Between them, the two juniors combined for three goals and three assists in the MetLife-adidas Soccer Classic.
Midfielder Jay Heaps and forward Josh Henderson are also strong single-minded finishers. The freshman duo is averaging two goals a game in college play.
The entire Blue Devil offense is predicated on a lethal, sweeping ground attack made possible by an abundance of individual skill.
The defense is blessed in that department as well. Senior Craig Jeidy presents an unpredictable threat with his sudden bursts from the backfield. And it was freshman Evan Whitfield's inspirational 45-yard run, when he eluded at least five Bruins, which earned the penalty that marked Duke's comeback against UCLA.
Everybody loves finesse. Like John McEnroe's touch, Grant Hill's grace or Jerry Rice's elegance, it makes you smile. It's pretty to watch. It satisfies you even if the game is scoreless.
Twice in the 1980s have the Blue Devils been able to field such an offensive team with three forwards. In 1982, Duke reached the national championship game. The 1986 team brought home the title.
Despite their early success, the Blue Devils know they have acres of room to improve. Many of Duke's players are still getting used to each other. With time, chemistry develops, players begin to pass the ball knowing where their receivers are by instinct, more passes start connecting . . .
Talk to me in about five weeks. Then, it should really be time for Duke soccer fans to smile.
Did I say I like this team?
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