#10 Duke Defeats Syracuse in Durham

Sunday, October 2

Durham, N.C.

1:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

7-4-2, 0-3-1ACC

Duke

8-2-2, 3-0-1ACC

Syracuse

#12/10 Duke

10/2/2016 4:02:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. – Going up against a team that played in the NCAA Championship game a season ago, the Syracuse women's soccer team came up short to #10 Duke in Durham, N.C. on Sunday afternoon by a score of 4-0. The Orange fall to 7-4-2, 0-3-1 on the season while the Blue Devils improve to 8-2-2, 3-0-1, sitting at the top of the Atlantic Coast Conference standings.

The Blue Devils scored their first goal in the sixth minute of the game. It was only the second goal allowed by the Syracuse defense in the first half of play all season. Toni Payne scored the first goal and scored again minutes into the second half. Ella Stevens also scored two goals in the contest with goals in the 60th and 70th minutes.

"I thought at times we had good possession, but weren't able to bring them down especially in the back," head coach Phil Wheddon said. "To concede a goal in the first five minutes, that puts you behind right away and you're chasing the game from the start."

Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan finished with seven saves, tying her season high also reached at Clemson. The junior has had 19 saves in the last three games. Jess Vigna has played an important role in the backfield, playing every minute of the last five games. As a central defender, Vigna helps Brosnan organize the defense, but her impact on the game rarely shows up on the stat sheet.

Eva Gordon looked dangerous at times throughout the contest as she attacked the left side. In the first half, she had a threatening cross into the box that the Duke goalkeeper had to come out and intercept. Alex Lamontagne and Opal Curless each had looks at the goal in the contest, but the keeper snagged two saves.

"We have to make sure we learn the lessons from being on the road for the last few games against some very good teams and prepare for two very good teams coming into Syracuse this week," Wheddon said.

Syracuse will return home after three straight games on the road with matches against Virginia Tech and No. 2 Florida State next week. The Orange will face the Hokies on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. and it will be Syracuse's annual Pink Game. 'Cuse will then take on the Seminoles on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. in a match tabbed as an Orange Out. Fans are encouraged to wear their orange on Sunday.

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