#19 Duke Defeats Clemson 2-1

Oct. 24, 2009

DURHAM, N.C.-The 19th-ranked Duke University men’s soccer team tallied a pair of goals late in the second half to earn a 2-1 victory over Clemson in an Atlantic Coast Conference men¹s soccer match at Durham, NC Friday night.

Junior Cole Grossman tallied the game-winner for the Blue Devils off of a penalty kick with 8:43 left to go in regulation, his fourth of the season.

The Blue Devils improve to 10-4-0 overall, 3-3-0 in ACC play. Clemson is now 2-10-a overall and 1-5 in league play.

After an even opening 10 minutes, Clemson earned the first good scoring opportunity with a free kick just outside the 18-yard box. Connor Barbaree stepped up and swung the ball around the right side of the wall but was denied by the far post to keep the game scoreless.

After exciting up-and-down action, Clemson’s Riley Sumpter sent a long ball out of the midfield and behind the Blue Devil backline. Nathan Thornton ran onto the service and beat Duke goalie James Belshaw to get an open net for the 1-0 lead at the 23:07 mark. It was Thornton¹s fifth goal of the season.

The Blue Devils scored in the 75th minute with a header from Matthew Thomas. Grossman served the ball to the back post where Thomas headed it home for his third goal of the year.

With 8:43 left go in the match, Grossman converted on a penalty kick to give Duke the 2-1 advantage.

Duke outshot Clemson 20-9 and won the corner kick battle 8-3.

In goal, James Belshaw made three stops to earn his eighth win of the year for Duke, while Clemson¹s Joseph Bendik had eight saves in the loss.

Scoring Clemson – Riley Sumpter) 21:53 Duke – Matthew Thomas (Cole Grossman) Duke – Cole Grossman (Penalty Kick) 81:17

Shots: Clemson 9, Duke 20 Corner Kicks: Clemson 3, Duke 8 Saves: Joseph Bendik (CU) 8, James Belshaw (D) 3 Fouls: Clemson 14, Duke 9 Attendance: 517