They want this one bad.
The men's soccer team enters its last regular-season game with a sense of purpose stronger than ever this season. A pregame pep talk will be unneeded before this match because every player understands the importance of Saturday's game against James Madison.
After the Blue Devils' most recent game, a crushing loss to the College of Charleston, Duke can ill afford to lose. Last Sunday, the Blue Devils dominated but failed to convert on several available opportunities. Late defensive mistakes then punished Duke, causing a 2-0 final score.
"There was definitely disappointment and perhaps a little anger," junior forward Brian Kelly said. "We were disappointed with our performance and the way we didn't show how we could really play."
Sophomore fullback Adam Mastrelli agreed. "That was a game we should've won," he said.
Without a doubt, the James Madison Dukes are in for a hard time. Ironically, memories of JMU from last season bring up another painful loss. It was the Dukes who sent the Blue Devils home from the NCAA tournament, beating them 2-1.
"That was a team which shouldn't have ended our season," Kelly said. "So there's going to be some revenge or some redemption involved."
More than adequately motivated this week, players say practices have been their best all season.
"The intensity and focus are more evident," Kelly said. "Players are taking practices very seriously and playing harder during [practice]. I think this will produce a better team."
"We're getting our attitude straight for the tournament," Mastrelli said. "Everyone's pretty excited about this game... the energy level has been amazing all week."
To beat James Madison and ultimately advance in the playoffs, the Blue Devils must find a solution for the loss of freshman sensation Josh Henderson, who sustained a severely sprained left ankle during Duke's 3-3 effort against Virginia two weeks ago. According to head coach John Rennie, an optimistic estimate puts Henderson's earliest return around the time of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.
Henderson's presence and ability to finish were sorely missed against Charleston. Although not the best athlete on the team, he constantly threatens with uncanny positioning and incisive touches around goal. Without a consistent target at center-forward, good performances by Duke's wingers and midfielders came to naught in the defeat.
"Its tough," freshman midfielder Jay Heaps said. "But our other forwards like Tony Volpe, Matt Shattuck, Bobby Moghim and Jeremiah Tao can step up."
Despite the setback, the Blue Devils do not intend to change tactically or style-wise. So fans can expect more of the aggressive, attack-minded soccer they have gotten used to this season.
"We're not going to move players around," coach John Rennie said. "We're trying different combinations, and which forward plays depends on who is playing well, and who fits our opponent's defense."
"We don't need to change our game plan," Kelly said. "We play our way and force other teams to change theirs."
The 1995 Duke team is designed to be an offensive machine. But trying to cope without a big part of its offense like Henderson has put added pressure on the backline.
"You can't blame the defense because they're young and thin," Rennie said. "And the defense can't win games."
Assistant coach David Smyth agreed. "The defense is getting better, but we still need to score goals," he said.
It is a message the offense gets loud and clear.
"It's a must-win situation for us," Heaps said. "We just know we have to win."
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