Duke was expecting a test Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA tournament. After 90 minutes of a classic goalkeeper battle, Georgia State fulfilled those expectations.
Chris Tweed-Kent scored in the 53rd minute and the Blue Devils were able to secure the shutout, defeating Georgia State 1-0.
The Panthers came out firing early, forcing the Duke defense’s hand. Georgia State forward Evan Scott launched a pair of shots on goal during the first 10 minutes, but goalkeeper James Belshaw was able to stop both attempts to keep the game scoreless. The early dominance by the Panthers sparked the Blue Devil offensive attack. Over a 10 minute span, Duke attempted five shots on goal. Forward Nick Palodichuk attempted shots in the 15th and 19th minute, respectively, neither of which found the back of the net. Sebastien Ibeagha and Andrew Wenger combined for three more attempts over the next five minutes, but Georgia State goalkeeper Vincent Foermer would not be beat.
In the 26th minute, Belshaw took a break from goalkeeping to do something he has not done this season—attempt a penalty kick. The junior had attempted a penalty kick in a shootout last week, but had not attempted such a shot in regulation. His shot, though, was unsuccessful.
“I’ve been taking them in practice,” Belshaw said. “After we missed a few early in the season, [head coach John Kerr] asked me to step forward. I think the next one I may need to leave to someone else.”
Duke continued to pressure the Panthers defense in the second half. After three more shot attempts, the Blue Devils were finally able to score. Sean Davis needled through the defense along the right side of the 18-yard box and booted a shot towards the goal. Foermer was able to get the initial save, but Tweed-Kent was there for the follow and tacked on the lone goal of the night.
“The coaches have been stressing that I’ve been playing too far wide,” Tweed-Kent said. “I started moving in and I think that gives you a lot more opportunities.”
The rest of the half was back-and-forth until there were only five minutes remaining in the contest. The Panthers were threatening to score their first goal of the game, but Belshaw made a kick save, followed by a jumping grab off a Georgia State corner kick that iced the game for Duke.
“I had a bit of making up to do towards the end of the game,” Belshaw said. “More importantly it was about the defense playing smart. We were disciplined towards the end [on defense] and it’s easy to lose heads, but we kept compact at the end.”
The Blue Devils will travel to 10th-seeded New Mexico Sunday for the second round of the tournament.
“We came to play tonight,” Tweed-Kent said. “We want to make a run in the tournament, and we put a statement out today. I think we’re ready to go.”
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