Duke men's soccer team's matchup two days ago against Atlantic Sun-lightweight Cambpell (0-4-1) should have been a laugher. Unfortunately, soccer games are played on grass, not cardboard, and the Blue Devils (2-3-1) found that out the hard way after a 1-1 draw.
Prior to kickoff, last night's game had all the makings of a Blue Devil rout. The Fighting Campbells had failed to score in their previous three games, which included shutout losses to Liberty and Georgia Southern, two teams whom Duke had beaten by hefty 4-0 and 4-1 margins, respectively. Before last night, the Blue Devils were 14-2-2 overall against Campbell and had won their last seven games against the Camels. In their matchup against Duke last season, the only goal Campbell was able to muster in a 3-1 Blue Devil win was via an own goal "gift" from Duke.
When the final whistle signaled the end of the second overtime period however, and despite out-shooting Campbell 23-7, 15 of which came on corner kicks, the Blue Devils were only able to muster one goal in 120 minutes of soccer.
Campbell struck first, ending a 355-minute, 54-second scoring drought thanks to a free kick fired by Greg Schwartzenberger from 25 yards out that found the top corner of the Duke net in the 43rd minute.
Duke fired back at the onset of the second half in the 59th minute, when senior Danny Wymer scored his first goal of the season on a penalty kick after freshman Kyle Helton was fouled in the box by a Campbell defender.
Duke had several chances to finish Campbell in the final minutes of regulation. Forward Nigi Adogwa found himself wide open in front of the net in the 83rd minute, but his shot was deflected wide by a Campbell defender. Four minutes later, Danny Kramer found himself with a golden opportunity to score with the keeper out of the net and only one defender to beat, but the ball was cleared off the line thanks to a a stop by Campbell sweeper Zack Kobilca.
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