Blue Devils’ defense frustrates Cavaliers

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Duke's women's soccer team picked a fine time to deliver a defensive effort that coach Robbie Church described, on three occasions, as "phenomenal."

The Blue Devils, disciplined and precise in their own end, smothered the No. 16-ranked Virginia Cavaliers 2-0 in last night's NCAA tournament third-round game in frosty Klockner Stadium. Virginia entered the game with an average of 2.3 goals per game. Last night it produced but two good scoring opportunities.

"Defensively we played great, just great," Church said. "It was a phenomenal defensive effort - our best of the year, by far. And you know what? It had to be."

Duke (15-5-3) frustrated and ultimately eliminated their ACC rival with a strong performance by its midfielders and a splendid showing by its back line. Rarely, if ever, did the Blue Devils drift out of position.

Sophomore defender Gretcher Miller was Exhibit 'A'. She knocked a promising shot by Virginia's Meghan Lenczyk off the goal line in the 14th minute and swept two loose balls off the doorstep in the second half.

Virginia midfielder Nikki Krzysik said her club's 15-4 advantage in shots wasn't as impressive as it appeared.

"Our decision-making - I don't know. It wasn't really there tonight," Krzysik said. "We were taking shots when we didn't necessarily want to be taking them. We weren't making the extra pass or the extra touch. We were settling, basically, instead of doing what we needed to do."

Duke, which offered a hint of things to come by playing a scoreless tie against the Cavaliers three weeks ago, scored the only goal it would need in the 17th minute. A quick-striking counter attack created an unchallenged 14-yarder for forward KayAnne Gummersall, the Blue Devils' leading scorer. Duke added an insurance goal - a blast from the top of the 18-yard box by forward Elisabeth Redmond - in the 65th minute.

The 22nd-ranked Blue Devils will face either UCLA or Southern California in next week's national quarterfinals. Virginia turned toward the offseason with a 15-5-3 record.

Duke ------------------------- 1

1 - 2
Virginia ------------------------- 0

0 - 0

Duke: Gummersall, Redmond

Saves: Powers (Duke) 3; Miles (Virginia) 2

Shots: Virginia 15-4

Fouls: Virginia 16-13

Corner kicks: 3-3