In the first ACC game of head coach John Kerr's tenure, the young Blue Devils proved they belong in the conference of heavyweights.
Duke exploded for three goals as the Blue Devils beat No. 22 Virginia Tech 3-1 Friday night in Blacksburg, Va.
And after losing twice in their first weekend, the Blue Devils (3-2, 1-0 in the ACC) have regrouped and reorganized-starting with two wins at the Duke Classic last weekend and continuing Friday against the Hokies (2-2-1, 1-1), a team that made the final four last season.
"Our organization in back and midfield has really improved," Kerr said. "Our movement offensively has really increased. Offensively, we are clicking a little bit better."
The Blue Devils began their attack early on with two shots on goal in the third minute by senior preseason All-American Mike Grella and freshman defender Kyle Bethel. Duke kept up the pressure, which built to a brilliant 12th minute goal by Bethel, assisted by forward Temi Molinar. The period eventually came to an end with a flurry of fouls on both sides and the Blue Devils up 1-0, but not for lack of chances.
At the half, Kerr reminded the players to continue to capitalize on opportunities as they presented themselves and thwart any Virginia Tech comeback, he said.
The Hokies, however, did emerge from the locker room intent on answering the Blue Devils. Virginia Tech's Tobias Hottner scored off a rebound in the 52nd minute to even the score.
With the game tied at one, the Blue Devils would bounce back in the 64th minute, as Grella found the back of the net off an assist from Bethel.
The second half saw a storm of substitutions from the Hokies and a salvo of shots from both sides before Grella finally sealed the victory in the 87th minute with his second goal of the match.
And after the first marquee win of Kerr's time at Duke, the Blue Devils walked away with not only a victory, but with proof their squad could take on the elite opponents that had embattled them earlier in the season.
"We came to grips with some of the talent we have and some of our weapons," Kerr said. "Better teams might be a little bit stingier on defense than Virginia Tech was."
Of course, that might have had to do with the Blue Devils more than the Hokies. Kerr is renowned for his offensive schemes, and the Duke offense finally broke open.
"We could have scored six, seven or eight goals," Kerr said. "A nice addition to two weeks ago where offensively, we can be very explosive."
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