Duke Advances In NCAA Tournament With 3-0 Victory Over Stephen F. Austin

Friday, November 14

College Station, T.X.

5pm

Duke University

14-6-1

Stephen F. Austin

15-5-2

Stephen F. Austin

#12/14 Duke

Duke Advances In NCAA Tournament With 3-0 Victory Over Stephen F. Austin

11/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Duke Sports Information

Nov. 14, 2003

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - The 12th-seeded Duke women's soccer team scored a pair of goals late in the first half and cruised to a 3-0 win on Friday over Stephen F. Austin in first-round action of the NCAA Tournament at the Aggie Soccer Complex in College Station, Texas.

Duke, an at-large selection from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), improved to 14-6-1 and advances to Sunday's second-round game against the winner of the Texas A&M/SMU match at 2:30 p.m. (EST). Stephen F. Austin, the Southland Conference Tournament Champions, ended its season with a record of 15-5-2.

"Obviously, I am ecstatic about our win tonight and look forward to playing whoever on Sunday," said Duke Head Coach Robbie Church. "We played a very determined Stephen F. Austin team tonight and they gave us a good game."

Duke scored two goals in a 1:36 span to make the score 2-0 before the half. Casey McCluskey scored her fourth goal of the season with 3:50 left in the first half as she had a shot from 25 yards out that went threw the hands of SFA goalkeeper Natascia Michalezki and across the goalline.

Moments later, freshman Sarah McCabe scored her fourth goal of the season to increase the lead to two goals. McCabe hit a shot from the right side of the 18-yard box that beat Michalezki in the upper-right 90.

"We didn't start off well in the game, but got better as the game progressed," said Church. "On Sunday, we will have to play quicker and focused to be able to advance on to the next round."

In the 79th minute McCluskey scored her second goal of the game to put the game pout of reach and make the score 3-0. McCluskey took a cross from sophomore Carolyn Ford and found the back of the net from 10-yards.

"I am very proud of Casey as she has struggled some this season with her scoring," said Church. "Now it is the NCAA Tournament and when your big-time players step up. Casey is one of our big-time players and she gave us the needed boost tonight."

Duke's victory equals the most wins in a season for the Blue Devils since the 1994 season (17). In 1995, 1997 and 2000 the Blue Devils also won 14 matches. Sophomore defender Kate Seibert, the second-leading scorer on the Duke squad, did not play due to a foot injury suffered on Saturday. Senior Kelly Harris started her second game of the season in her place.

In goal for the Blue Devils on the night was senior Thora Helgadottir, who picked up her fourth shutout of the season and 16th of her career. The Iceland native finished with four saves on the evening.

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