Duke Holds Strong at Virginia for ACC Opening Victory

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Duke men’s soccer (3-1-1, 1-0-0 ACC) opened ACC play with a 1-0 shutout victory over the Virginia Cavaliers (2-2-1, 0-1-0 ACC) in Charlottesville, Virginia. The victory over the Cavaliers extends the Blue Devils’ unbeaten streak against Virginia to five straight matches and levels the all-time series at 42-42-11.
 
Following a scoreless first half which featured the Blue Devils outshooting the Cavaliers 5-0, Duke continued to pressure the Cavaliers defenders early in the second half. In the 50th minute, Adam Luckhurst played a ball through the front of the box looking to find the foot of Colton Pleasants, but a Virginia defender slid through the play and deflected the pass into the back of the net for an own goal.
 
Graduate Wessel Speel stood strong in net for the Blue Devils, tallying a key save in the second half to post his 26th career shutout and first as a Blue Devil.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The two sides felt the pace of play throughout the first 18 minutes of the game before Luke Thomas had his chance saved as Duke presented the first scoring chance of the night. 
• At the half, Duke controlled the pace of play, leading the shot totals 5-0, and registered the only shot on goal.
• The Blue Devils opened the scoring in the 50th minute, as Adam Luckhurst served a ball through the center of the box that was deflected in by a Virginia defender, 1-0.
• In the…