Duke Blanks Princeton 4-0 to Remain Unbeaten

Friday, September 6

Durham, N.C.

4:00 PM

Duke University

4-0-0, 0-0-0

Princeton

0-2-0, 0-0-0

Princeton

Duke

Daniele Proch goes to goal against Princeton

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Duke Blanks Princeton 4-0 to Remain Unbeaten

9/6/2019 7:05:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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Proch Scores Twice in Victory

DURHAM, N.C.—Senior Daniele Proch registered a pair of goals and rookie Scotty Taylor posted his first collegiate tally to lead the fifth-ranked Blue Devils to a 4-0 win over Princeton in non-conference men's soccer action Friday afternoon.

Duke improves to 3-0-0 on the year with two of those wins being shutouts, while the Tigers drop their season opener. Proch notched his third brace as a Blue Devil, scoring the opening goal in spectacular fashion in the first half and Duke's third goal in the 80th minute.

"At times we played some good soccer," said head coach John Kerr. "We were on top of them. We got our passing game going a little bit and to get two pretty early goals helped our confidence a bit. A little disappointed to not get the third in the first half. In the second half we were a little lethargic coming out of the gates."

The Blue Devils came out well to start the game, keeping the ball well and creating a few early opportunities. Princeton could not handle Duke's pressure, especially in the middle of the field, allowing Duke to get into the final third.

After missing a couple early chances to go ahead, Proch did what he does best and used his impeccable skill and touch on the ball to give Duke the 1-0 lead. Sophomore defender Ian Murphy played Proch a simple ball about 35 yards from goal. The senior captain immediately felt a Tiger defender on his back and turned on him with a touch and then beat another defender to slot home the shot past goalkeeper Jacob Schachner. The goal was his 18th at Duke and 26th for his career.

Taylor put himself into the scoring column for the first time in his young Duke career, making a run to the near post and heading home a Max Moser service from the right flank. The assist was the second of the season for Moser.
Feeling comfortable with a 2-0 lead after the opening 45 minutes, the Blue Devils came out sluggish in the second half and allowed Princeton get have some good play. Despite increased possession from the Tigers, Duke's defense and goalkeeper Will
Pulisic remained strong in keeping Princeton out of the final third.

With the victory likely in hand, Proch iced the victory as he capitalized on a drawn penalty by Taylor. Schachner made the initial save from the penalty kick, but Proch was right there to touch in the rebound for the 3-0 lead. Princeton added an own goal in the 85th minute to make it 4-0.

Pulisic had two saves for his 15th career shutout and second this season. Schachner had five saves in 90 minutes of action.

Duke returns to action Sunday, September 8 against Harvard. Kickoff is at 4 p.m., on ACC Network Extra.

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