Blue Devils Claw Their Way to 2-1 Victory over Panthers

Tuesday, October 19

Durham, N.C.

7:00 PM

Duke University

High Point

Blue Devils Claw Their Way to 2-1 Victory over Panthers

10/19/2010 10:24:00 PM | Men's Soccer

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C.-Duke University sophomore Ryan Finley volleyed in a cross from freshman Jonathan Aguirre with 41 seconds remaining in the first overtime to lift the 24th-ranked Blue Devils men's soccer team to a 2-1 win against High Point. The goal was Finley's second of the game as he pushes his season total to 12.

"High Point is a very good team and their record speaks for itself," head coach John Kerr said. "They've beaten some very good teams and they gave us a really hard time tonight. I was very impressed with their attack and they defended hard. It wasn't an easy game for us at all."

Even at one apiece after 90 minutes of soccer, Duke (6-3-4) and High Point (10-3-1) headed into the golden goal overtime periods. After nine minutes of back-and-forth action in overtime, junior Christopher Tweed-Kent collected the ball just past midfield and sent a perfect pass to the feet of Aguirre deep in High Point's defensive third.

The rookie midfielder got a couple touches on the ball and served it across the face of the goal where Finley needed just one touch to volley it in to help Duke to the 2-1 overtime win. Tweed-Kent provided assists on both of Finley's goals.

"We moved Chris Tweed-Kent inside[during overtime] and he did great for us both inside and outside," Kerr said. "He was active and got the ball and was busy and hard to close down and that opened up space for our wide guys and it was a great cross in the end by [Jonathan] Aguirre and Ryan [Finley] finished off his second goal of the game."

The game got off to a quick start as High Point earned a corner kick 42 seconds after kickoff. The Blue Devils were able to clear the ball out of danger and just over a minute later capitalized on their first chance of the evening.

Tweed-Kent received the ball on the left flank and sent a through ball into the box for Finley. Duke's top scorer ran onto the pass unmarked and calmly beat High Point goaltender Michael Chesler with a shot just inside the far post for a 1-0 lead 1:52 into the contest.

Duke continued to control the run of play over the next 15 minutes, but was unable to find that important second goal. After weathering the early pressure, the Panthers started to get into a rhythm of their own and generating quality scoring looks.

Both teams pressed forward throughout the opening 45 minutes, combining for 11 shots overall. However, only one goal resulted with Duke heading into the locker room with a 1-0 lead.

High Point came out with a lot of intensity to start the second half and put the Blue Devils on their heels. The Panthers controlled possession throughout the first 15 minutes, but were unable to get on the board. In the 71st minute, High Point went down to 10 men on the field after a red card was issued.

Playing a man down for the final 20 minutes appeared to energize the Panthers as they continued to attack in search of the equalizer. After putting together a few dangerous chances, High Point got on the board in the 80th minute as Fejiro Okiomah headed in a cross from Scott Rojo on the left side.

The two squads battled in the final 11 minutes of action and headed into the extra sessions. Looking to perhaps take advantage of High Point playing a man down, Duke attacked the Panther defense constantly. Junior Temi Molinar had the first great opportunity in overtime as he knifed his way through the High Point defense and fired a shot that was blocked down by Chesler. Sophomore Andrew Wenger had the next scoring chance, but he just missed getting his foot on the ball. And then with just under a minute to play, Tweed-Kent started the play that resulted in the game-winner from Finley.

Duke held a 15-10 advantage in shots, while both squads had three corner kicks apiece. In goal, Chesler made seven stops, while Duke keeper James Belshaw had one. Finley's two goals in a game mark his fourth multiple-goal game this season.

The Blue Devils resume ACC play on Oct. 22 at Clemson. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.