BLACKSBURG, Va. – As Duke women’s soccer edges towards the end of the regular season, the Blue Devils were needing someone to step up and make a big play. Freshman Phoebe Goldthwaite did that Thursday evening on the road at Virginia Tech as she scored the game-winner and made a potentially game-saving tackle late in the match to lead Duke to a 1-0 win over the Hokies at Thompson Field.
Goldthwaite, a native of Durham, N.C., collected her first collegiate goal in the first half, while Duke’s defense was solid limiting Virginia Tech to only four second-half shots and earning the sixth shutout of the season. The Blue Devils improved to 6-5-3 overall and 2-3-3 in the ACC, while the Hokies fell to 6-7-3, 3-5-0.
How It Happened
• Duke came out on the attack from the beginning with three shots and two corner kicks over the first 10 minutes. Senior Grace Watkins had a great move to get around a pair of defenders on the left side and drove into the box, before firing an attempt that went just wide right of the far post.
• The Blue Devils stayed on the attack and were finally rewarded for their efforts in the 26th minute. After a throw-in by senior Katie Groff, Watkins took control of the ball and sent a perfect pass to a streaking Goldthwaite, who took one touch and finished near the left post for her first collegiate goal from 14 yards.
• With 30 seconds remaining in the half, Duke was awarded a free kick…
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