Duke Drops Heartbreaker at No. 16 Notre Dame

Thursday, November 3

Notre Dame, Ind.

1:00 PM

Duke University

7-8-2

Notre Dame - 1st Round

11-5-2

OT 1

Duke

Notre Dame

Duke Drops Heartbreaker at No. 16 Notre Dame

11/3/2016 3:53:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Highlights: Notre Dame 3, Duke 2 (OT)

By: Duke Sports Information

NOTRE DAME, Ind.—Notre Dame leading scorer John Gallagher knocked home a loose ball with 55 seconds left in the first overtime to lead the seventh-seeded Fighting Irish to a 3-2 victory over No. 10 seed Duke in a heartbreaking finish for the Blue Devils in the ACC Championship first round. The 16th-ranked Irish advance to play Wake Forest in the ACC Men's Soccer Championship quarterfinals.

Duke concludes its season with a 7-8-2 overall record, while Notre Dame continues its quest for an ACC title with an 11-5-2 mark.

After a thrilling 90 minutes of regulation, Gallagher crushed the Blue Devils' hopes of a postseason run when he connected on a header across the face of the goal from Jack Casey. Beating the Duke defender to the ball, the ACC's top scorer flicked the ball past Duke goalkeeper Robert Moewes.

Much like the regular season meeting between the Blue Devils and Fighting Irish, Notre Dame grabbed a 1-0 lead early with a goal from Brandon Aubrey in the 10th minute. After a low service on an Irish corner kick was played out of the Duke penalty box, Tommy McCabe sent in a flighted ball to the far post where Aubrey brought it down and snuck a shot inside the near post under a diving Moewes.

Notre Dame continued to control the run of play, but solid and steady defense from the Blue Devils didn't allow the Irish any more dangerous scoring chances. The Fighting Irish had three shots in the opening 10:27 and only managed one more shot in the final 35 minutes as the Duke midfield and backline upped their pressure on the ball.

As the half continued, Duke played its way into a rhythm. The Blue Devils possessed the ball better through the midfield, finding space through the midfield and on the flanks. Duke junior Carter Manley demonstrated his ability to create offense out of the back as a great individual effort on the right side earned the Blue Devils their first corner kick.

Max Moser's low service to the near post was easily knocked out of the 18-yard box, but not out of danger. With the ball bouncing around 20 yards from goal, Manley hit a half volley to the top shelf past Chris Hubbard to equalize 1-1 in the 23rd minute. The goal was the first of Manley's career, similar to what Brandon Williamson did against the Irish in the regular season matchup.

The second half had its share of action in the early going. A sliding tackle from Duke junior defender Kevon Black in the 55th minute denied Notre Dame a clear look at Moewes' goal. The Blue Devils pushed it out of the back to Manley. The Elkridge, Md., native used nifty footwork to get a great look at the goal, only to be denied by Hubbard's quick hands.

With the minutes starting to tick down at Alumni Stadium, Notre Dame got the go ahead goal and what perhaps would end the Blue Devils' season. Jeffrey Farina put the Irish in front as he headed home a John Gallagher cross in the 71st minute.

The Blue Devils, a resilient team all season, equalized minutes later with a goal off the head of Cameron Moseley. Moser provided the corner kick for his team-best seventh assist of the year. Moseley's goal was his sixth of the year, a career-best for the junior striker.

After some tense moments for Duke's defense down the stretch, the two teams headed into overtime. The Blue Devils had a dangerous set piece in the early minutes of overtime, but it was all Notre Dame as Moewes made a few spectacular saves before Gallagher notched the game-winner with under a minute to play.

Moewes finished with four saves in the game as Notre Dame outshot Duke 16-7 for the game. Hubbard had one stop in the 99 minutes of play.

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