BC rallies late, wins in 2OT

Overtime has not been kind to Duke this season.

Although the Blue Devils competed aggressively at No. 18 Boston College (11-4-0, 3-3-0 in the ACC) on Saturday evening, they ultimately registered their third overtime loss of the season, 2-1. A tiebreaking goal by Eagles forward Charlie Rugg in the game’s 117th minute ensured that Duke (7-6-1, 3-3-1) would remain winless in overtime games this season, and sent the once-surging Blue Devils to their second consecutive loss.

For the game’s first 75 minutes, Duke was in control. Senior midfielder Christopher Tweed-Kent continued his impressive play this season and scored before the 30th minute to give the Blue Devils a 1-0 lead. The goal, set up by a pass from freshman Nick Palodichuk, was Tweed-Kent’s fourth of the year.

Junior goalkeeper James Belshaw and the Blue Devils defense kept Boston College off the board into the second half, and Duke was just 13 minutes from completing its third shutout of the season. They appeared to be on their way to satisfying head coach John Kerr’s calls for improved defensive play when Eagles freshman Diego Medina-Mendez scored in the 77th minute to even the score. Medina-Mendez got his chance off a loose ball that emerged after Duke was unable to effectively clear the ball out of its 18-yard box. That sent the game to overtime, and despite a solid opportunity on goal in the first overtime, the Blue Devils were unable to find the net.