Ulfarsson’s Late Goal Lifts No. 6 Blue Devils to 1-0 Win at Syracuse

Saturday, September 25

Syracuse, N.Y.

7 P.M.

Duke University

6-1-0, 3-0-0

Syracuse

4-4-1, 1-2-0

Duke

Syracuse

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Ulfarsson’s Late Goal Lifts No. 6 Blue Devils to 1-0 Win at Syracuse

9/25/2021 11:39:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score BOX SCORE (PDF)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – For the sixth time this season, Duke men's soccer (6-1-0, 3-0-0 ACC) earned a clean sheet, defeating Syracuse (4-4-1, 1-2-0 ACC) 1-0 on Saturday night at SU Soccer Stadium.

With the win, the Blue Devils have started the season 3-0 in the ACC for the first time since 2004 and 6-1-0 overall for the first time since 2006. The Blue Devils are now one of two teams to remain undefeated in ACC play, joining Louisville.

Sophomore Thorleifur Ulfarsson scored the lone goal for the Blue Devils, with an 82nd minute tally. Sophomore Peter Stroud and freshman Shakur Mohammed assisted on the goal for their first assists of the season. Senior goalkeeper Eliot Hamill recorded his fifth shutout of the year, making five saves in the win.

The game started in favor of the Orange, who held possession for much of the first 20 minutes. Syracuse got its first chance in just the third minute, when Manel Busquets made a run into the box, but didn't get much on the shot and Hamill was in strong position to make the save.

The Blue Devils got their first chance of the game in the 15th minute, when junior Scotty Taylor sent a cross into the box, through the legs of a streaking Miguel Ramirez and just out of the reach of the foot of Mohammed. It marked the best opportunity of the first half for the Blue Devils, who matched Syracuse in defensive intensity, as both teams ended the half with only three shots apiece.

In the second half, the Blue Devils came out of the gate quickly, drawing a couple of yellow cards on the Orange to set up a set piece for Stroud. Stroud delivered a crossing ball into the box and found the head of Lewis McGarvey, who put the ball just high of the crossbar to keep the game knotted at 0-0.

Another member of the defense, sophomore Antino Lopez, found himself with a golden opportunity in the 63rd minute. Lopez stepped into the offensive attack and delivered a strike from around 25 meters out, forcing Syracuse goalkeeper Lucas Daunhauer to make a diving save to his left.

Syracuse answered right back, as Hamill was forced to make one of his best saves in the 69th minute. Busquets made a run into in the box and found Curt Calov, who tried to tuck a shot near post, but Hamill was up to the task, making a save with one hand as his body was taking his momentum in the opposite direction.

The Blue Devils were finally able to break through late, when Stroud stole the ball around midfield. Stroud dumped the ball to Mohammed, who sprinted forward and fed the ball to Stroud on the wing. Stroud delivered a one touch cross into the box, where a sprinting Ulfarsson delivered a one timer into the top right corner to take a 1-0 lead.

The Blue Devils will return home and prepare for a quick turnaround, as the team hosts Howard on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Koskinen Stadium.

To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMSOC".

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