Early Goal Lifts No. 14 Virginia Past Duke

Saturday, October 11

Charlottesville, Va.

7:00 PM

Duke University

Virginia

Early Goal Lifts No. 14 Virginia Past Duke

10/11/2014 9:06:00 PM | Men's Soccer

By: Duke Sports Information

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Fourteenth-ranked Virginia scored a goal in the 13th minute and held off a furious second-half charge from Duke to earn a key 1-0 victory in ACC men's soccer action at Klöckner Stadium this evening.

Duke falls to 5-5-1 overall and 2-3-0 in ACC play, while Virginia improves to 8-3-1 and 3-1-1 in conference action.

Virginia, after settling into a rhythm, capitalized on a corner kick to grab a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute. The Cavaliers earned the corner kick after Duke goalkeeper Joe Ohaus pushed away a Sam Hayward header from the far post. However, Virginia capitalized on its next chance as Eric Bird headed home a cross to the far post from Jake Rozhansky for his third goal of the season.

"Unfortunately we fell behind early again, but I was proud of how we fought to the end," head coach John Kerr said. "I thought we were a little unlucky to not score there in the second half. We have big games ahead of us so we need to come out and get a result Tuesday night."

The Blue Devils, trailing 1-0, settled down and started to generate action in their offensive third. Duke's first shot came off the head of Brian White, but was right at Virginia keeper Calle Brown.

Bryson Asher and Brody Huitema also both had opportunities to get an equalizer, missing wide. Asher, combining with classmate Jeremy Ebobisse, tried to sneak his shot past the near post, but hit the side-netting. Huitema nearly got in behind the defense with a great through ball from Mathers out of the midfield. Virginia defender did well to recover and block the sophomore's shot wide left.

The Blue Devils came out in the second half with better possession than in the first, but couldn't quite find that final pass into the Virginia defensive third.

After weathering a storm of Virginia pressure, Duke turned the tables on the Cavaliers for a 10-minute span. Zach Mathers sparked a three-on-two break and fed Ebobisse on the left. Calle Brown was quick to come off his line to pick the ball off of the rookie's foot. The freshman striker continued to wreak havoc in the box for Duke as he nearly earned a penalty kick just minutes later.

Needing just one goal to tie the game, Duke pressed forward. Asher had a go from 15 yards out that Brown pushed wide of the left post for a Blue Devil corner kick. Duke got its best chance of the night seconds later off the foot of Asher again. The Texas native collected the ball on his right foot on the top of the 18-yard box and let it rip. As the Virginia crowd held its collective breath, Brown tipped it over the bar to post the shutout victory.

Ohaus matched his career high with six save on the night, while Brown had three. Virginia held a 14-8 edge in shots, while Duke won the corner kick battle 6-5.

Duke returns home for a pair of contests next week. The Blue Devils host Davidson Tuesday night at 7 p.m., on NSCAATV.com. Notre Dame visits Koskinen Friday night on RSN at 8 p.m.

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