After a season of highs, including a tie at No. 1 Wake Forest, and lows, specifically an upset loss against Florida Atlantic, Duke finished the year with two tough defeats, including one against N.C. State on senior night.
Now, the Blue Devils (10-7-2) are getting what most teams only dream of: a second chance.
When Duke plays UNC-Greensboro (8-11-2) at 7 p.m. Friday night in Koskinen Stadium in the first round of the NCAA tournament, the Blue Devils will attempt to atone for the anticlimactic ending to their regular season. For seniors like captain Darrius Barnes, earning one more chance to win at home is a tremendous opportunity.
"It was really huge, especially when we didn't think we were going to get a home game at all," Barnes said.
Head coach John Kerr hopes that the unexpected luxury will help motivate the team.
"Senior night didn't go so well for us, so to have another opportunity to play at home in front of your home fans and family will be a thrill," Kerr said. "I think [the players] want to make that a better memory."
But in order to exorcise the demons of the end of the year, Duke will have to quickly reverse its tendency for streaky play. After tying Wake Forest Oct. 18, the Blue Devils reeled off four straight wins to get back in contention for the NCAA tournament, only to fall on senior night to the Wolfpack.
The disappointment of what appeared to be the seniors' last game in Koskinen seemed to carry over to the ACC tournament, where Duke fell to Virginia 4-2. The game was much closer than the score indicates, however, as the Blue Devils gave up two penalty goals, and Duke is hoping to carry that quality of play into the tournament.
"If we can duplicate that type of workman-like effort, then we'll be in good shape," Kerr said.
The increased intensity of the single-elimination tournament should also prevent the Blue Devils from experiencing a similar letdown.
"Right now, it's just win or you go home," Barnes said. "If guys can't get up for games like this, you shouldn't be playing the game."
Standing in the way of a fairy-tale ending to Duke's season, though, are the Spartans-a Cinderella story of their own. After a disappointing season that included three losing streaks of three or more games, UNC-G scored three hard-fought victories in the Big South tournament, each by a single goal.
The Spartans also can claim a psychological edge over the Blue Devils after beating them 1-0 in an exhibition game Aug. 20.
"We're not taking them lightly," Kerr said. "They've got some good players, some dangerous players, and a very experienced group."
Specifically, UNC-G attacks with an international flair, led by Icelandic midfielder Jokull Elisabetarson and South African forward Tebatso Manyama. The two combined for seven goals and 18 points on the season.
But despite facing a talented team with all-important momentum on its side, Duke has remained confident that it can defeat the Spartans and make a significant run into the tournament.
"We're going to be prepared on Friday night," Barnes said. "We're going to take this tournament one game at a time, but when we're hitting on all cylinders, we're one of the best teams in the country. We have the talent, it's just a matter of putting it all together."
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