In Friday night's must-win game, the men's soccer team did just that. After nine straight winless games, the Blue Devils (3-8-1, 1-3 in the ACC) shut out N.C. State (6-6, 2-3) 3-0 thanks to Nigi Adogwa, who recorded his first career hat trick.
Duke took this golden opportunity to put another win on the board and, more importantly, a win in the conference. In the 36th minute, sophomore Blake Camp centered a ball from the right to Adogwa, who headed it in for Duke's first goal.
Seven minutes into the second half, N.C. State's Santiago Fusilier drew a yellow card, the team's second of the game. The free kick from the top of the box was redirected by Adogwa into the goal from the left side to put the Blue Devils up 2-0. Then, in the 69th minute, Adogwa received a pass from midfielder Chris Loftus, and shot the ball from 15 yards out past Wolfpack goalie Jorge Gonzalez, clinching Duke's first ACC win.
"I was just lucky enough to finish off a good performance for the team," Adogwa said. "And breaking the losing streak was a difficult thing to do. I don't think anything was different [from the other games], I just think everything just connected on Friday. The entire season made sense. I'm hoping that the team continues with the same momentum against Virginia."
The Blue Devils dominated the field at both ends, particularly defensively.
"We did a tremendous job defensively," head coach John Rennie said. "Danny Miller and the rest of the defense did an outstanding job shutting down State's attack. We played with an awful lot of intensity and really earned a much-needed win."
The offense outshot N.C. State 20-5, as Duke's defense held the Wolfpack to a single shot in the second half. While their opponents were allowed only two corner kicks the entire game, the Blue Devils had nine.
"I don't know what to say," said Adogwa on being named ACC player of the week Monday. "It's great, I guess. I've never been ACC player of the week, but I like it."
Friday's game proved that the men's soccer team not only has the ability to win, but can do so convincingly.
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