Eighth-ranked Duke Knocks Off St. Louis, 2-1, On Sunday

Sunday, September 11

St. Louis, Mo.

1 p.m.

Duke University

4-0-1

Saint Louis

4-2-0

#8/9 Duke

Saint Louis

Get To Know Sarah McCabe With Duke Inside Access

Eighth-ranked Duke Knocks Off St. Louis, 2-1, On Sunday

9/11/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Duke Sports Information

ST. LOUIS, MO.?The eighth-ranked Duke women's soccer team traveled to St. Louis on Sunday and came away with a 2-1 victory over the Billikens at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. With the victory, the Blue Devils improve to 4-0-1, while St. Louis falls to 4-2-0.

“Obviously, I am thrilled with the win,” said Duke Head Coach Robbie Church. “To travel to St. Louis, who should end up being in the NCAA Tournament in November, play on their home field and come away with a win is something I am very happy with.”

Duke had the better of play in the first half, creating a series of dangerous opportunities. In the 28th minute, St. Louis goalkeeper Amanda Martin turned back a shot from Duke's Carolyn Riggs off a corner. The Blue Devils' senior forward persevered, though, and settled the resulting punt and found junior Sarah McCabe on the right side. Beating a defender, McCabe drove toward the end line and bent a shot inside the far post for a 1-0 Duke lead.

A product from Sarasota, Fla., McCabe registered her second goal in as many games and now leads the Blue Devils with two goals on the year.

“Both goals the last two games for Sarah have been our first goals,” said Church. “Those goals have been big for us to give our team an early lead. She has been aggressive, going to the goal, attacking and putting pressure on the opponents. Sarah has also set up some other scoring opportunities and is doing some very good things for us.”

The Blue Devils' insurance strike and eventual game-winner came early in the second half off another corner. After junior Lauren Tippets' serve sailed beyond the far post, the Billikens could not get a good clearance. As Martin attempted to pounce on the loose ball, it slipped away where Carolyn Ford poked it in from two yards out.

The goal for Ford, a senior from Bethesda, Md., was her first of the year and sixth of her career.

Winchell's first bid to end the shutout came in the 56th minute after Dee Guempel's one-touch pass led Winchell through a pair of defenders. Her 16-yard shot was punched over the crossbar by Duke keeper Allison Lipsher.

The Billiken sophomore finally broke through in the 87th minute. Hulcer settled the ball on the right side and served it over the defenders to Winchell 12 yards out. As the sophomore forward settled the ball, Lipsher came charging out to prevent the shot, but Winchell touched the ball past her and toed it in the resulting open net from four yards.

SLU continued its flurry of offense in the waning moments of the game, but the Blue Devil defense continued to stymie the Bills, allowing just three shots in the half.

For the match, Duke outshot St. Louis, 17-5, and held a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks. Lipsher, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, finished the match with three saves and now has allowed only two goals in five matches this season.

“We played well in spurts,” said Church. “We created some scoring opportunities, but I thought we should have had a couple more goals on the board.”

The Blue Devils will next host the Duke/adidas Classic on Sept. 16 & 18 at Koskinen Stadium. Competing in the tournament will be Duke, North Carolina, UAB and San Diego. The first match will take place on Sept. 16 with North Carolina vs. San Diego at 5:00 p.m. followed by Duke vs. UAB at 7:30 p.m.

NO. 8 DUKE 2, SAINT LOUIS 1
DUKE - 27:41 McCabe (Riggs)
DUKE - 50:28 Ford (unassisted)
SLU - 86:05 Winchell (Hulcer)

Shots: DU - 17, SLU - 5
Corners: DU - 6, SLU - 1
Saves: DU - 3 (Lipsher), SLU - 11 (Martin 5, Abby Goellner 5, Team 1)
Fouls: DU - 7, SLU - 11
Att: 614