Upcoming Event: Men's Soccer at California on September 14, 2025 at 5 p.m.
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5 p.m.
Men's Soccer
at California
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Thursday, August 21
Durham, N.C.
8 p.m.
Duke University
1-0-0, 0-0-0
2
vs
1
San Diego
0-1-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
San Diego
0
1
1
Duke
1
1
2
Freshman Duo Leads No. 15 Duke to 2-1 Win Over No. 10 San Diego
8/21/2025 11:16:00 PM | Men's Soccer
DURHAM, N.C. - Two freshmen found the back of the net in the Duke men's soccer season opener, as the 15th-ranked Blue Devils (1-0) defeated No. 10 San Diego (0-1), 2-1, at Koskinen Stadium. Max Simpson scored his first career goal in the first half and Aridon Racaj joined his teammate with a debut goal, capping the Blue Devils' scoring in the second half.Â
HOW IT HAPPENED
#GoDuke
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HOW IT HAPPENED
- Duke had a trio of scoring opportunities in the opening 10 minutes, with Ulfur Bjornsson forcing the first San Diego save in the ninth minute.Â
- Max Simpson opened the scoresheet, with a sliding shot attempt in the 16th minute. Bjornsson and Leonardo D'Ambrosio picked up assists on the scoring effort.
- Duke's defense remained stout through the remainder of the first half, limiting the visitors to just four total shots and none on goal, in the first frame.
- The physicality picked up after halftime and San Diego posted its first shot on goal in the 64th minute, which was turned aside by Duke goalkeeper Eryk Dymora.
- After subbing back onto the pitch at the 71:04 mark, Aridon Racaj placed a right-footed strike into the side netting just 53 seconds later, giving the Blue Devils a 2-0 advantage.
- The Toreros halved the deficit with less than three minutes to play, courtesy of a goal by Iain Wagner, but Duke's defense fended off the San Diego attack for the final 2:27 of action.
- With the season-opening victory, Duke improves to 9-4-5 in the first game of a season under head coach John Kerr.
- Duke is now 3-1-2 all-time against San Diego and snapped a two-game streak without a victory over the Toreros, after tying 2-2 on Aug. 22, 2024 and falling, 1-0, on Nov. 24, 2024.
- Both Max Simpson and Aridon Racaj scored their first career goal.
- Eryk Dymora tallied two saves in his Duke debut.
- Freshman Preston Zabinko also made his first appearance as Blue Devil, earning a spot in the starting lineup and playing the full 90 minutes.
- Aleksandar Vukovic, a transfer defender from Marshall, and returning midfielder Trevor Burns also played the full 90.Â
- No. 15 Duke returns to Koskinen Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 24, taking on UC San Diego.
- The Blue Devils and Tritons are scheduled to kickoff at 7 p.m., as the nightcap of a doubleheader, which starts with San Diego vs. Furman at 1 p.m. A single ticket is good for both matches.
#GoDuke
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Team Stats
USD
DU
Goals
1
2
Shots
11
11
Shots on Goal
3
6
Saves
3
2
Corners
5
3
Fouls
10
18
Scoring Plays
Max Simpson (1)
Assisted By: Ulfur Bjornsson , Leonardo D'Ambrosio
GOAL by DU Simpson, Max Assist by Bjornsson, Ulfur and D'Ambrosio, Leonardo.
15:54
Aridon Racaj (1)
Assisted By: Drew Kerr , Alessandro Arlotti
GOAL by DU Racaj, Aridon Assist by Kerr, Drew and Arlotti, Alessandro.
71:57
Iain Wagner (1)
Assisted By: Simon Duus Muller , Samy Kanaan
GOAL by USD Wagner, Iain Assist by Duus Muller, Simon and Kanaan, Samy.
87:33
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
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