Women's Soccer Advances To Semifinals on Penalty Kicks

DURHAM, N.C. - No. 5 seed Duke advanced to the semifinals of the 2000 ACC Women's Soccer Championship on Thursday night as the Blue Devils defeated No. 4 seed Virginia in sudden victory penalty kicks 4-3 after a 0-0 double-overtime tie.

Throughout the entire game, both teams had strong defensive efforts. Virginia freshman goalkeeper Jodi Clugston made eight saves while Duke freshman goalkeeper Thora Helgadottir made two saves. Virginia took nine shots and had five corner kicks in the contest, while Duke tallied 12 shots and four corner kicks.

In the first round of five penalty kicks, the score remained tied after both teams scored on three of their five attempts. Sophomore Alyssa Benitez, junior Ashley Meeker, and sophomore Kelly Worden converted penalty kick attempts for the Cavaliers, while senior Kim Daws, sophomore Liz Wagner, and junior Katie Heaps converted penalty kicks for the Blue Devils.

The game then entered sudden victory penalty kicks as Duke senior Stefanie Kraay beat Clugston to put the Blue Devils up 4-3. Virginia junior Laura Gaworecki's penalty kick was wide left, sealing the victory for Duke.

We're very pleased with the outcome of tonight's contest," said Duke head coach Bill Hempen. "If you make sure everything is a battle, then you're in it and things like this can happen.

Duke (12-6-1) advances to play the winner of Clemson and Maryland at 8:00 p.m. on Friday night at Koskinen Stadium.

Scoring Summary
Virginia          0       0       0       0       --      0
Duke              0       0       0       0       --      0

Game Summary
Shots:                  Duke 12         Virginia 9
Corner Kicks:           Duke 4          Virginia 5
Fouls:                  Duke 18         Virginia 13
Goalkeeper Saves:       Duke (Thora Helgadottir) 2, Virginia (Jodi Clugston) 8