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ACC Championship Quotes
11/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Duke Head Coach John Rennie
On winning the ACC Championship
“We are the official ACC Champion. The team on the other end isn't. We were on the other end once and it was an awful feeling. Winning a championship, whatever way it happens, is a championship. I have been fortunate enough to be there before but for all of these guys it is their first time winning an ACC Championship and it feels the same way for me today.”
On ACC Tournament
“This tournament is only three games. The NCAA Tournament is six if you don't have a bye. The three games in this tournament are going to be harder than the first three games in the NCAA Tournament on a regular basis.”
On scoreless games against North Carolina
“It is unique. If you look back over the years at this rivalry there are usually a lot of goals scored. Maybe it is just the time for these two teams to play and not have goals. I don't remember a 0-0 game in the last 27 years prior to this year. It is very different than what we would normally expect.”
On Blake Camp as MVP
“He deserves it. He is a guy we all look to. On our team it is obvious that when he has the ball we are dangerous. He scored two great goals to get us here. He is our most important offensive player out there every time he is on the field.”
On progression of Justin Papadakis
“Having a year under his belt to be the understudy last fall was helpful. In the spring he got to play and I think he got the confidence from his teammates that way. He has been able to perform at a very high level as a sophomore. As a first-year goalkeeper in this conference it is very difficult. He has been under high expectations and a lot of pressure. He really was the one question mark we had coming in to this season with a good group of players returning and coming in. He started stepping up last year and he did what we all hoped and expected he would do.”
Senior Midfielder Blake Camp (Tournament MVP)
On being named tournament MVP
“It is a tremendous feeling but to be honest I have to give a big thank you to Justin and Mike here. If we hadn't come away with a victory none of that would have happened. It is a really good feeling but overall our team played tremendous.”
On winning the ACC Championship
“This has to be one of my fondest memories as a soccer player. It is special because I like everybody involved with the program as well. It is thrilling to be able to share it with them.”
On North Carolina goalkeeper change
“In overtime things definitely opened up. We saw a lot more opportunities. We really wanted to test them and he ended up being up to the task. I thought he did a very good job. We took a lot more shots in the overtime period and I think that was just because we wanted to test him.”
On this year's tournament
“My career at Duke has been a series of ups and downs. My sophomore year we went nine games without a single win. To come this far, it feels terrific because everybody who plays on the team deserves it. Our coaches have put in the hours to get us to where we need to be. At the same time we still are not satisfied. Our season is not over and we are looking forward to the NCAA Tournament.”
Sophomore Goalkeeper Justin Papadakis (All-Tournament Team)
On mindset during penalty kicks
“I really wanted to win this one for our team. That was the main thing going through my mind. I was just trying to calm myself down and basically win it for the team because they have worked so hard throughout this tournament and I really wanted to win it for them.”
On penalty kicks
“With penalty kicks you never know. I was just fortunate to save them. There are some factors that go in to it like the players angle to the ball and his hip placement when he is about to strike it. At the end I think it is just being fortunate to save them. ”
Freshman Forward Mike Grella
On winning the ACC Championship
“Coming in to the game it was a nice feel for anyone. You had UNC vs. Duke in the ACC final. When you are a freshman and you get the game-winning PK, it is just huge.”
On mindset for penalty kick
“I am usually pretty solid on the PK. Mostly because I don't get hyped up or nervous for it. That is the main part of it. Also I usually try to keep it down and leave the ball on the floor and just get it there. PK's are one of my specialties.”
Players Mentioned
Cinematic Recap vs Notre Dame
Tuesday, November 12
A DOMINANT WIN OVER NOTRE DAME - MEN'S SOCCER
Tuesday, November 05
Duke Athletics: A Tour of Campus
Saturday, October 19
Welcome to Duke
Saturday, October 19
