Ulfarsson’s Hat Trick Pushes Duke Past Virginia, 3-1

Sunday, March 28

Charlottesville, VA

1 P.M.

Duke University

4-9-2, 4-6-0

Virginia

7-6-1, 4-5-1

Duke

Virginia

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Ulfarsson’s Hat Trick Pushes Duke Past Virginia, 3-1

3/28/2021 4:11:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Duke freshman Thorleifur Ulfarsson recorded a hat trick to lift the Blue Devils to a convincing 3-1 victory at Virginia in ACC men's soccer action Sunday afternoon at Klöckner Stadium. The three goals mark the first the Cavaliers have given up at home in four games this spring.

Ulfarsson, who broke through for his first career goal last Friday against Pittsburgh, is the first Blue Devil to register a hat trick since Zach Mathers did so Oct. 16, 2015.

The rookie from Iceland got things started for the Blue Devils in the 11th minute as he outran a Virginia defender in a 50-50 ball to get a one-on-one look against Cavalier goalie Alex Rando. The play started with a long clearance by rookie Peter Stroud into the Virginia defensive third.

As the ball bounced, Ulfarsson pressured the Cavalier center back enough that he wasn't able to play it back to his keeper and the first-year forward took advantage as he slotted it past Rando for the 1-0 lead.
The Blue Devils continued to put pressure on Virginia and controlled much of the possession over the next 15 minutes before the Cavaliers got into the game a little more.

With Virginia developing a better rhythm on the ball as the opening half continued, Duke continued to defend well in the middle third of the field. The effort paid off in the 31st minute as rookie Santa Ihara stepped in to poke a ball away to Ulfarsson, who collected it and went straight to goal and drew a foul 20 yards from the box.

Ulfarsson stepped behind the ball and swung a right-footed shot around the wall and into the left upper 90 for the 2-0 lead and deflating any momentum the Cavaliers had.

Duke, sporting a 2-0 lead, played smart in the second half as it continued to neutralize the Cavaliers in the attacking third. Virginia, facing its largest first-half deficit of the season, never really threatened in the early minutes of the second half as Duke was content to keep the Cavaliers playing in the middle third of the field.

A bad touch by the Cavaliers in the middle of the field in the 68th minute allowed captain Jack Doran to step in and push forward into the Virginia defensive third uncontested. He got down the left flank and to the end line where he slotted the ball back to the six yard box. Junior Conor Kelly made the perfect run, but a Virginia defender did well to block his effort as the rebound fell to Ulfarsson. He shot it with just enough pace and placement that Rando wasn't able to knock it wide of the post, giving the Blue Devils the 3-0 lead.

Virginia got one back in the 87th minute after a nice individual effort from Nick Berghold to find Kevin Ogudugu open in the penalty box for a Cavalier goal.

Virginia held a 10-6 advantage in shots, while Duke edged the Cavaliers, 8-6, in corner kicks. Eliot Hamill recorded three saves in the victory, while Rando had two.

Duke (4-9-2, 4-5-0) returns to action April 3 at NC State. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on ACCNX.

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