Blue Devils Fall to Elon in Non-Conference Action

Tuesday, October 21

Elon, N.C.

7:00 PM

Duke University

Elon

Blue Devils Fall to Elon in Non-Conference Action

10/21/2014 9:25:00 PM | Men's Soccer

By: Duke Sports Information

ELON, N.C.—Elon scored a pair of fantastic second half goals to hand Duke a 2-1 setback in non-conference men's soccer action this evening. Sophomore Brody Huitema registered the Blue Devils' goal in the setback.

“They're a threat from all over the field and in the second half they had two wonderful goals from distance,” said head coach John Kerr. “They were with the wind and it really helped them. All credit to them they were a good team tonight. Very good.”

Duke (5-8-1) attacked right off the opening whistle and earned a pair of corner kicks in the opening minute. The Blue Devils, unable to connect on those two chances, could not maintain the early pressure as Elon took over possession in the ensuing minutes.

The Phoenix controlled the run of play and created a pair of dangerous chances. The first came off the foot Miguel Salazar and forced Duke senior goalkeeper Wilson Fisher to make a diving stop to push the ball wide of the right post.

Elon (8-4-3) nearly took the 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute as Luis Argudo sent a screamer off the underside of the crossbar and out. Fisher continued to anchor Duke's defense over the next 20 minutes and finished the opening 45 minutes with four saves.

The Blue Devils opened the second half with a renewed energy coming out of halftime. Duke got its first shot of from Bryson Asher as Zach Mathers found the speedy rookie with a great through ball to the left side. Asher got in behind the defense, but was unable to beat Nathan Dean on the near post.

The Phoenix regained the momentum again in the following minutes and found the back of the net on a first-class strike from Jason Waterman from 20 yards.

Just 1:25 later, the Blue Devils evened the score on a set piece started by Duke captain Sean Davis. Arguably one of the most dangerous players in the nation on free kicks, Davis served in a perfectly drive ball that sophomore Brody Huitema was able to redirect with his head past Dean.

The thrilling second half continued as Elon regained the 2-1 lead six minutes later on another fantastic strike from Salazar. Dribbling up the field, Salazar took advantage of the open space and took a chance from 20 yards and beat Fisher at the far post for the go-ahead goal.

“I thought we responded very well to get back in the game,” Kerr said. “We started playing well and then we didn't go with one of their players at midfield and he took a couple steps forward and lashed one and you maybe hit one of those every couple years. Credit to him, but it's one of those days.”

Duke pressed forward in the final 15 minutes in search of the equalizer. The Blue Devils created a flurry of dangerous opportunities inside the Phoenix defensive third, but Elon's backline was stout in keeping Duke off the scoreboard.

Fisher finished with five saves for the night, while Dean had three for Elon. The Phoenix held a 17-6 advantage in shots.

Duke returns home to play Pittsburgh Friday night at 7 p.m., on ESPN3. The Blue Devils will honor their eight seniors prior to the game.