In any sport, a Duke-North Carolina game hardly needs an introduction. And somehow, Friday's game between the arch rivals will have an added intensity—both squads are looking for their first conference victory of the season.
The Blue Devils will travel eight miles down Tobacco Road to battle the No. 8 Tar Heels at 7 p.m. at Fetzer Field in Chapel Hill, N.C. North Carolina has battled early in ACC play, but has yet to come away with a win, registering draws in each of its first four conference contests.
“It’s our rivals and both teams are winless in the league and [there’s] a lot at stake. I'm sure both teams are going to want to win the game," head coach John Kerr said. "[It’s] not going to be easy, but we’re excited about the opportunity.”
The Blue Devils (4-4-2, 0-3-1 in the ACC) will look to erase the memory of a disappointing defeat to UNC-Wilmington at home Tuesday evening. After a slow start to the game, the pace picked up in the second half. The Seahawks struck first, but freshman forward Brody Huitema netted the equalizer in the 77th minute. UNC-Wilmington seized back the lead just two minutes later on a goal from Jamie Dell.
Duke’s slow start against the Seahawks is representative of a trend—12 of the team’s 14 goals this season have come in the second half or later. Once the team fell behind in the second half, its play picked up, with crisper passes and extended assaults in UNC-Wilmington’s third.
“We’re getting some good opportunities getting into the final third, but again our final third production has to be better,” Kerr said.
North Carolina (3-1-4, 0-0-4) has had its own struggles finding the back of the net this season, registering just 10 goals in its eight contests. Sophomore midfielder Raby George and junior forward Tyler Engel lead the Tar Heels this season with three goals apiece.
Offensive woes have only grown worse for North Carolina as of late, as the Tar Heels have scored just one goal in their last three games.
If the Blue Devils are to win in Chapel Hill, they must avoid another slow start. North Carolina touts a staunch defense—led by defender Boyd Okwuonu—which has only surrendered five goals all season. Junior goalkeeper Brendan Moore has recorded four shutouts this year.
“Guys have to come out with a bit more fire at the beginning of the game,” Kerr said.
However, Duke figures to have an advantage when it comes to style of play. In the Tar Heels' lone loss this season to William & Mary, the Tribe committed 14 fouls compared to only six for North Carolina. The Blue Devils’ physicality could bother the Tar Heels, as Duke averages 14.4 fouls per game.
Duke looks to avoid falling below .500 on the year, and recording its first conference victory at Chapel Hill would establish some much-needed momentum going into the second half of the year.
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