NEWTON, Mass. – The Duke women’s soccer team had scoring opportunities on Sunday at Boston College, but couldn’t capitalize as the Blue Devils dropped a 4-1 decision in Newton, Mass.  With the loss, Duke falls to 4-6-3 overall and 1-4-2 in the ACC. 

 

“A big majority of the game, we played some very, very good soccer,” commented Duke head coach Robbie Church.  “The difference of the game was, they scored on their opportunities and we didn’t score on our opportunities.  We had a number of really good opportunities – we played it up the line, but we didn’t make good decisions when we were there. I thought you could basically take it down to that - they scored when they had chances and we didn’t score when we had ours.”

 

Boston College (7-6, 4-4) came out in the first half and took the first three shots before Duke redshirt senior Kim DeCesare notched the first attempt for the Blue Devils in the 19^th minute that was saved. 

 

The Eagles were awarded a penalty kick in the 21^st minute, after a Duke defender took down Boston College standout Stephanie McCaffrey in the box.  McKenzie Meehan drained her opportunity to give Boston College a 1-0 lead. 

 

Junior Kelly Cobb had Duke’s best scoring chances in the first half as forward totaled a header in the 20^th minute that went near post, but was saved by Boston College keeper Alex Johnson.  With 7:30 left in the first half, Cobb broke towards the goal and Johnson came out to challenge.  A product of Chugiak, Alaska, Cobb got a foot on it and the ball it the post.  The rebound bounced back to Cobb and her second shot went far side, but was blocked by an Eagle defender and cleared. 

 

Boston College took a 2-0 lead as time was expiring in the first half, after a controversial no call led to a goal by McCaffery. 

 

The Eagles held a 12-6 advantage in shots in the first half.  The Blue Devils were led by Cobb with three shots, while DeCesare added two.  Ali Kershner posted six first half saves for the Blue Devils in goal. 

 

Duke came out after halftime and struck quick as freshman Rebecca Quinn sent a cross low through the box.  Senior Laura Weinberg was on the far post and one-timed the shot into the open goal for a 2-1 game in the 48^th minute. 

 

“We came out in the second half and we attacked well from the beginning,” said Church.  “Rebecca Quinn, who’s come back to play with us after being out for a number of games, did a great job of running the end line. She played the ball to the far post where Laura was and Laura did a great job of finishing that ball.”

 

Weinberg, who is out of Boca Raton, Fla., totaled her 37^th career goal for the Blue Devils and now owns 96 career points to move into sole possession of second place on Duke’s all-time points list.  The forward passed Casey McCluskey, who had 95 points over her Blue Devil career.  Quinn, a product of Toronto, Canada, was playing in her first match since Sept. 1 versus New Mexico and collected her first collegiate assist. 

 

The Blue Devils continued to press forward sending the ball ahead looking to break the Eagles down.  Weinberg featured a shot from the 22-yard mark off a corner kick, but the shot went high.  DeCesare also got her toe on a shot inside the box but Johnson was there for the save.   

 

Boston College took advantage late as the Blue Devils were pushing forward and notched to goals over the final seven minutes off the leg of McCaffrey as the Eagles pushed ahead, 4-1. 

 

For the match, Boston College outshot Duke, 18-10.  DeCesare led the Blue Devils with four attempts, while Cobb added three and Weinberg chipped in two shots.  Kershner compiled a career-high eight saves in goal for the Blue Devils. 

 

“It was a difficult game, no question about it,” commented Church.  “It was a different surface and it was raining today.  There was rain all day until the game, making it difficult to actually play, but I thought we handled the environment very well.”

 

The Blue Devils fell to 1-4-2 this season when playing on Sunday and 0-5 this year when being outshot.  Duke will be off during the upcoming week before traveling to Maryland on Sunday, Oct. 13.

 

#GoDuke