Men's Soccer Runs to 2-2 Tie with Real Maryland

Saturday, August 23

Washington, D.C.

1:00 p.m.

Duke University

Maryland (Exhibition)

Grella Named Preseason All-American by College Soccer News

Men's Soccer Runs to 2-2 Tie with Real Maryland

8/23/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

By: Duke Sports Information

WASHINGTON, D.C.?Duke University senior Mike Grella tallied a pair of goals as the Blue Devils ran to a 2-2 tie with Real Maryland Monarchs of the United Soccer League this afternoon. The match was Duke's final tune-up prior to the kick off of the regular season next weekend.

“I think the performance was better than our performance against Greensboro,” head coach John Kerr said. “Our speed of play was much better and our closing down spacing was much better on defense. Our final third attacking was more creative and we had more chances and went up 2-0 and had a good first half.”

Duke controlled the pace of play for much of the first half, pressuring Real Maryland's midfield and backline. Nearly 15 minutes into the game, Grella took advantage of a defensive miscue and got in behind the defense and drew a foul in the penalty box. Awarded a penalty kick, Grella stepped up and struck the ball low into the left corner for the 1-0 lead.

Less than 10 minutes later, Josh Bienenfeld collected the ball on the right flank and fed Grella near the top of the 18-yard box. Grella faced up to the goal and beat a defender and ripped the ball past the Real Maryland keeper for the 2-0 advantage.

That's how the first half would close, with the Blue Devils controlling the majority of possession for the opening 45 minutes. Duke's defense continued to shut down any opportunities Real Maryland might have at finding the open spaces for a good look at goal.

Real Maryland came out in the second half with the early momentum. The Monarchs made it a one-goal game a few minutes into the half when a striker put a long-distance shot on net. Jan Trnka-Amhrein made the initial save, but Real Maryland put in the rebound.

The Monarchs continued to put the pressure on and made it a 2-2 game a few minutes later when a ball was served to the back post. A player collected it and slid it past Trnka-Amhrein at the back post.

“It just shows you soccer is a tough game," Kerr said. "We didn't come out with the same bite in the second half and we allowed them to get back in the game. It was a good lesson for our guys to make sure that we're not taking things lightly at the start of the second half.”

“Overall our performance was solid and it improved on our performance against Greensboro, so I'm happy with that.”

The Blue Devils officially kick off the season on Aug. 29, at Indiana at 7:30 p.m. They take on Notre Dame on Aug. 31 in the second day of the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic at 11:30 a.m.

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