The women's soccer team (5-6-1, 0-2-1 in the ACC) averted a five-game losing streak drawing a 1-1 tie with No. 17 Florida St. (7-2-3, 1-0-1) Tuesday night. After trailing through the first half, the Seminoles knotted the game at 1-1 and looked poised to hand the Blue Devils another overtime loss in Koskinen Stadium. Duke head coach Robbie Church blamed his team's youth as a key reason for Duke's loss of momentum.
"I was impressed with [FSU]," Church said. "We dropped back on defense and I guess it's because we're a young team. We're going to fluctuate up and down."
The Blue Devils pushed the ball into Seminole territory early, and capitalized on Casey McCluskey's nifty footwork inside the box. She maneuvered around several Seminole defenders before burying the ball in the net for the first goal of the game just 3:20 into the contest. Church was impressed with his team's play at the match's onset.
"After we had two overtime games in a row we came out really good," Church said. "Casey came out and beat them off the dribble. What a beautiful goal."
After Duke responded with a shot from McCluskey, the Seminoles transitioned up the field and crossed another ball into the box. This time FSU midfielder Camie Bybee headed the ball off goalkeeper Katie Straka?s outstretched arms and sophomore Jez Ratliff finished the rebound for a 1-1 tie.
?We knew most of their attacks were from their flanks,? McCluskey said. ?We tried to play more defense outside.?
Defense was a staple seen of Tuesday night?s matchup, as both teams exhibited stellar play in the backfield. Duke opted to start Straka in the net, instead of senior Thora Helgadottir, who has started the last few matches.
Straka responded well with several key saves, including a game-saving play in overtime when FSU forward Cindy Schofield beat the Blue Devil defense for an open shot, but Straka sprawled to her right and grabbed the ball in her hands.
The Blue Devils had many opportunities in the box during the second half, using defender Kate Seibert to lob the ball in the box from the left side. Duke?s forwards and midfielders could not find a sieve in the Seminole defense, however, because FSU?s defense dropped back into the penalty area too quickly for Duke.
?We started playing in the middle of the field too much,? Church said. ?After they scored their goal, we changed our mentality. We started to attack wide and use our wings. Once we did that we were very dangerous.?
Duke dominated play in the last 15 minutes of the second half and pushed their defenders past midfield. After another service by the Blue Devil?s into FSU?s 18-yard box, the ball deflected to McCluskey on the ground. She turned her body and took a chance from just inside the box, nearly skimming the crossbar.
?I think we were the better team in this game and I think we had a lot of momentum,? McCluskey said. ?We had a lot of attack going but we couldn?t put it in the back of the net which has been our problem for the last five games.?
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