Blue Devils Stop Pioneers in Duke/Nike Classic Finale

Sunday, September 6

Durham, N.C.

2:30 p.m.

Duke University

Denver

Blue Devils Stop Pioneers in Duke/Nike Classic Finale

9/6/2009 6:45:00 PM | Men's Soccer

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C.-The Duke University men's soccer team remained perfect for the 2009 season with a 2-0 victory over Denver in the finale of the Duke/Nike Classic at Koskinen Stadium this afternoon. Junior Cole Grossman paced the Blue Devils to victory with a goal and an assist.

Grossman posted his third goal and second assist on the young season today to keep Duke unbeaten at 3-0-0. Senior midfield Josh Bienenfeld scored his first goal of the year late in the second half to seal the victory.

Senior Ryan McDaniel, junior Christian Ibeagha and Grossman represented the Blue Devils on the Duke/Nike Classic All-Tournament Team. Grossman finished with four points on the weekend, while McDaniel helped anchor the midfield and Ibeagha ran the defense in allowing just one goal.

"It's a great honor [to be named to the All-Tournament Team]," Ibeagha said. "I can't take any credit without giving credit to all of my teammates. It's about the 11 guys on the field and all the guys on the bench and the coaches."

The Blue Devils controlled the run of play for much of the game, firing 18 shots to the Pioneers' five for the game. Creating opportunities through quick passing, Duke was just off the mark in finishing.

"We came out and really wanted to take it to them and get them out of their comfort zone," head coach John Kerr said. "Our ball movement was decent and we just weren't able to make that final pass or to come up with the final touch to put that first goal away."

The first great look for Duke came in the 36th minute from the foot of Grossman. Sophomore Temi Molinar beat a defender down the flank and slipped the ball to Grossman in the middle of the penalty box. The native of St. Louis, Mo., ripped the shot on goal, but Denver (0-2-0) keeper Joe Willis got his fingertips on it and put the ball across the endline.

Generating dangerous opportunities from the wings, the Blue Devils earned eight corner kicks in the opening 45 minutes, but could not quite connect on the set pieces. Defensively in the opening half, Duke was outstanding as the Pioneers were unable to manage a single shot and were awarded just two corner kicks.

The pressure from the Blue Devils continued and even increased in the second half as Duke held the vast majority of possession. Freshman Ryan Finley found himself open in the box and tried to put the ball high into the corner, but Willis again got his fingertips on the ball to deny the home squad in the 59th minute.

Duke broke the draw just 10 minutes later as Grossman found the back of the net for the third time this season. Christopher Tweed-Kent sent a ball to the feet of Finley in the 18-yard box. Finley raced to the endline and served the ball across the face of the goal for Grossman to finish.

Looking for a second goal to seal the victory, Bienenfeld broke through with his first tally of the year with an incredible strike in the 84th minute. Grossman again was involved in the score, feeding Bienenfeld a ball just inside the penalty area. Bienenfeld got away from a Denver defender and ripped his shot in the right side-netting for the 2-0 lead.

"It was great to finally get a goal," Bienenfeld said. "You always go in thinking you're going to score, but sometimes it doesn't go your way. It was great to have a finish."

"I think our team is really coming together. Team chemistry has been great. Everyone from the coaches to the players is all on the same page so we're excited for the rest of the season."

Playing in front of freshman James Belshaw for the first time, the Blue Devil defense posted its second shutout of the season. Duke allowed just five shots for the game with Belshaw making one save in 90 minutes of action. Willis finished with five saves for the Pioneers.

Duke opens its challenging ACC schedule on Sept. 11 at Virginia. The Blue Devils and Cavaliers kick off at 8 p.m., in Charlottesville.

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