Duke Defeats Howard, 8-0

Tuesday, September 23

Durham, N.C.

7 p.m.

Duke University

4-0-3, 1-0-1

Howard

1-6-1, 0-0-0

Howard

Duke

9/23/2025 10:07:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

DURHAM, N.C. – The 16th-ranked Duke men's soccer team used goal contributions from six different players to secure an 8-0 victory over Howard on Tuesday night at Koskinen Stadium. Kenan Hot and Alessandro Arlotti posted a brace, and were joined in the scoresheet by Ulfur Bjornsson, Jose Ortega, Aridon Racaj and Max Simpson.

The Blue Devils (4-0-3, 1-0-1 ACC) moved their win streak over the Bison (1-6-1, 0-0-0 NEC) to five consecutive matches. Both Arlotti and Hot recorded the first brace of their respective careers and the duo lead the team in total points, with 10 each.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Duke opened the scoring in the early moments of the match, with Jose Ortega slotting a left-footed strike inside the post from 30 yards out. Ortega's second goal in as many games was set up by Kamran Acito, the defender's first assist of the season.
The Blue Devils maintained a strong advantage in possession, adding another shot on goal in the 20th minute. Max Simpson doubled the lead moments later, taking advantage of a centering pass from Drew Kerr. Julius Suber was credited with the secondary assist on the goal.
Kenan Hot made it 3-0 in the 26th minute, driving a right-footed shot into the corner from outside the box. Kerr once again was credited with the assist, his second helper in a three-minute span.
The flurry of goals continued, with Ulfur Bjornsson finding the back of the net in the 33rd minute, assisted by Leonardo D'Ambrosio and Alessandro Arlotti.
Arlotti pushed the lead to five, heading in his second goal of the season, shortly into the second frame. Bjornsson had a shot hit the crossbar, but the rebound fell to the feet of Aridon Racaj, who made it 6-0 in the 52nd minute.
A wide-open Hot was able to find the left corner of the net in the 57th minute. Arlotti secured his brace from the penalty spot, with just over 17 minutes remaining in the contest, capping the scoring as Duke closed out the 8-0 victory.

NOTES

In its last 10 regular-season matches at home, Duke is now 8-0-2 with a goal differential of +34.
Kenan Hot entered the 2025 season with one goal in his first three seasons as a Blue Devil, but has now scored four times in seven matches this season.
Alessandro Arlotti logged the first brace of his career and now has 10 points this season (three goals, four assists).
Ulfur Bjornsson returned from injury on Friday, Sept. 19 against Syracuse and has now scored in both games since. The junior forward has six points in four games played, adding two assists to his two goals.
With his early goal, Jose Ortega tallied his second game-winner in as many games.
Julius Suber saw his name in the scoresheet for the first time this season, assisting a first-half goal by Max Simpson.
Aridon Racaj scored in the second half, the second of his freshman season.
Duke finished the game with 29 shots, with 16 on goal, while holding Howard to two shots, with none on frame.
Eryk Dymora earned the decision in goal, playing the first 45 minutes, before yielding to Nathan Gaviser and Ryan Gallagher for the second half.
The combined shutout was the second of Dymora and Gaviser's career and the first for Gallagher.

UP NEXT

Duke takes on Louisville in its next conference test of the season, welcoming the Cardinals to Koskinen Stadium on Friday, Sept. 26.
First touch 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