Duke Shuts Out Syracuse, 2-0, on Friday Night

Friday, September 19

Durham, N.C.

7 p.m.

Duke University

3-0-3, 1-0-1

Syracuse

2-4-2, 0-2-0

Syracuse

Duke

Duke Shuts Out Syracuse, 2-0, on Friday Night

9/19/2025 10:02:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery

DURHAM, N.C. – Goals from Jose Ortega and Ulfur Bjornsson paced Duke men's soccer in a 2-0 victory over Syracuse at Koskinen Stadium on Friday, Sept. 19. The Blue Devils (3-0-3, 1-0-1 ACC) scored in each half to defeat the Orange (2-4-2, 0-2-0 ACC) and pick up the full three points in Duke's home ACC opener.

Ortega opened the scoring early in the match, with his first goal of the season, in the 7th minute. Bjornsson, playing for the first time since Aug. 24 after recovering from injury, capped the match with a strong strike in the 78th minute. Eryk Dymora posted his second shutout of the season, making two saves, and now has a 0.83 goals-against-average for the season.

As a team, the Blue Devils outshot the Orange, 15-8, including a 10-4 advantage in the second half. With the win, Duke moved to 9-4-5 in ACC home openers under head coach John Kerr.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Blue Devils got the first shot of the game, with Preston Zabinko's volley attempt sliding just wide. Duke connected on its next attempt, however, as Jose Ortega drilled a right-footed shot off of the left goalpost and into the back of the net. The goal, in the 7th minute. was set up with assists from Max Simpson and Trevor Burns.
Duke maintained its offensive pressure, earning back-to-back corners in the 26th and 27th minutes. Eryk Dymora made his first save of the match 10 minutes later, falling on top of a Syracuse shot attempt in the middle of the goal.
The Blue Devils finished the first half still in control of their 1-0 advantage. Simpson had Duke's first scoring opportunity of the second half, but his attempt to chip the goalkeeper sailed just over the crossbar.
Ulfur Bjornsson doubled Duke's advantage with just under 13 minutes remaining, with a right-footed strike. Simpson tallied his second assist of the night and was joined in setting up the goal by Thomas Vold.
The Blue Devils had additional opportunities to extend their lead but were turned away by a strong effort by the Syracuse goalkeeper, who recorded all three of his saves during the second half.

NOTES

Jose Ortega scored the first goal of his season and fifth in his career.
Ortega's goal was the eventual game winner, giving him the first game-winning goal of his career.
Ulfur Bjornsson made an appearance for the first time since suffering an injury on Aug. 24, playing a total of 34 minutes.
The junior strike scored in the 78th minute, his first goal of the 2025 campaign. He now has 24 goals in his career.
The goal by Bjornsson snapped a four-match streak without a goal, which tied for the longest in his career.
Max Simpson assisted on both goals, posting the first multi-assist game of his career and first by a Duke player this season.
The last player to have multiple assists in a match was Luke Thomas, against Longwood, on Oct. 29, 2024.
Trevor Burns assisted the first goal and Thomas Vold helped set up the second goal, giving both players their first assists of the season.

UP NEXT

No. 19 Duke remains at home, welcoming Howard to Koskinen Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
First touch between the Blue Devils and Bison is scheduled for 7 p.m., and fans can watch live on ACC Network Extra.

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

#GoDuke