Duke Falls to No. 12 Kentucky in Overtime

Friday, February 19

Durham, N.C.

7 P.M.

Duke University

2-7-1, 2-4-0

Kentucky

7-1-0, 0-0-0

Kentucky

Duke

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Duke Falls to No. 12 Kentucky in Overtime

2/19/2021 10:19:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

DURHAM, N.C.—Kentucky forward Daniel Evans scored with four minutes remaining in the first overtime to hand Duke a heartbreaking 1-0 loss in men's soccer action Friday evening at Koskinen Stadium. The Blue Devils controlled the run of play for much of the game, but were unable to find the back of the net.

Duke, playing its second game of the young spring season, had the better of play for 80 of the 90 minutes of regulation. The Blue Devils were able to maintain possession and keep Kentucky on their heels, helping them generate had a handful of good looks throughout the game as well keeping the majority of possession, especially in the middle and attacking thirds of the field.

The play from the Blue Devils right off the opening whistle was excellent as they pushed the pace of the game. Duke did well to move the ball and keep it in play, while Kentucky struggled to find a way to generate any offense against the Blue Devils.

While Duke maintained possession, it was unable to find that finishing pass to put pressure on the Kentucky defense. Duke sophomore forward Scotty Taylor was a spark off the bench, having the best looks at goal for the Blue Devils in the opening half.

In the 37th minute, Duke nearly capitalized off a Kentucky turnover in midfield as Nicolas Macri intercepted a pass and sent a through ball to Taylor. Onside, Taylor ran onto it, but the pressure from the Kentucky (7-1) defense as well as from Wildcat goalie Ryan Troutman coming off his line kept the game scoreless.

Taylor was dangerous again as the clock ticked under a minute in the first half with Duke sending a corner kick into the box. As the service from Conor Kelly popped out to Taylor on the left side of the 18-yard box, Taylor took a quick touch to his right to find a brief window to shoot. However, a Kentucky defender was able to deflect it just wide of the post, sending the two teams into halftime scoreless.

The second half was much as the same with the Blue Devils controlling play, but still unable to finish in the final third.

Kentucky's best chance came in the 67th minute on quality combination play through the middle of the field to find Mason Visconti open on the right side. Duke recovered well and blocked the shot to keep Eliot Hamill's shutout streak alive.

The Wildcats came on strong in the final minutes, including a great opportunity for Evans in the 82nd minute, but like the Blue Devils couldn't find the back of the net.

Kentucky carried its momentum into overtime and was the more dynamic of the team two teams in the first few minutes of the extra session. Earning a throw-in deep in Duke's defensive third, Wildcat
Trey Asensio sent a long throw into the box where the Blue Devils were unable to cleanly clear it out of danger. Evans capitalized on the loose ball with his left-footed game winner.

Both teams finished with nine shots apiece, while Duke had the 8-5 edge in corner kicks. Hamill finished with one save, but was excellent on set pieces throughout the night. Troutman had two saves to post the shutout.

Duke (2-7-1) returns home to host UNC Wilmington Friday, Feb. 26. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

#GoDuke