CLEMSON, S.C. – For the third straight match, the Duke women’s soccer team struggled to score goals as the Blue Devils dropped a 1-0 decision at 24^th-ranked Clemson at Riggs Field in Clemson, S.C.

 

With the loss, Duke dropped to 6-6-1 overall and 2-2-1 in the ACC, while Clemson improved to 9-2-2, 2-2-1. 

 

The Blue Devils were held to only one shot the first 24 minutes, before Clemson got on the board.  The Lady Tigers’ Paige Reckert found a streaking Catrina Atanda at the top of the box.  Atanda fired a shot that was deflected off a Duke defender and went into the left corner of the net.

 

The Blue Devils came back to attempt shots by senior Gilda Doria and freshman Imani Dorsey, but both were saved by Clemson keeper Kailen Sheridan. 

 

At the half, Clemson held a 1-0 advantage with the shots even at 4-4. 

 

After an hour and 45 minute lightning delay following halftime, the two teams started the second half.  The Blue Devils made a couple of early runs but couldn’t get a shot off, before Clemson had an excellent chance for a goal.  Katelyn Reeve’s shot went off the right post and the ball bounced towards the left post and Blue Devil redshirt junior Ali Kershner redirect it out of bounds.

 

At the 67:49 mark of the match, Duke featured one of its best combinations of the match as sophomore Christina Gibbons made a run up the middle of the field and fed sophomore Toni Payne, but her attempt was saved by Sheridan. 

 

Duke head coach Robbie Church moved more offensive players up forward over the final 10 minutes and the Blue Devils were able to attempt four shots over the final eight minutes.  Freshman Casey Martinez blasted a left-footed shot at the 88:03 mark that just skipped wide right. 

 

For the match, Clemson outshot Duke, 14-9.  The nine shots were the second-fewest the Blue Devils have attempted in a match this season.  Eight different Duke players attempted shots on the evening with Gibbons leading the way with two. 

 

In goal, Kershner played the first 65:14 minutes and finished with two saves, while freshman EJ Proctor closed the match and added three saves.  The Blue Devils were held to one corner kick, which tied a season low. 

 

Duke has been shutout in each of the last three matches and hasn’t scored a goal over the last 366:51.  The last goal the Blue Devils scored was at the 13:49 mark of the N.C. State match on Sept. 25.

 

Blue Devil sophomore midfielder Rebecca Quinn missed Thursday’s contest with an injury, which marked her first match of the season. 

 

Duke will return home to kick off a four-game homestand with Wake Forest Sunday, Oct. 12 at 3:00 p.m.  The match will be aired live on RSN-TV and ESPN3.

 

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