Upcoming Event: Men's Soccer versus Howard on September 22, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Men's Soccer
vs Howard
Tuesday, September 22
Durham, N.C.
7 p.m.
Duke University
vs
Howard
Men's Soccer Continues Homestand Against Howard
9/21/2026 4:21:00 PM | Men's Soccer
DURHAM, N.C. - Duke men's soccer welcomes Howard to Freeman Field at Koskinen Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. The Blue Devils (3-5) and Bison (2-5) are scheduled to start play at 7 p.m., and fans can stream the match live on ACC Network Extra.
MATCHUP NOTES
MATCHUP NOTES
- The two teams meet for the 6th overall time and for the third consecutive season. Duke is 4-1 against Howard in the all-time series, with the lone blemish coming in the first meeting between the two sides, during the 1972 NCAA Tournament.
- The other four matchups between the two teams have come since 2021, with just one Duke schedule not including a match against Howard in that span.
- Duke celebrated the 40th anniversary of its 1986 National Championship team at halftime of the match against Virginia Tech, as part of the program's annual Alumni Weekend festivities. The Blue Devils defeated Akron, 1-0, in the title match, with Tom Stone scoring the game-winning goal.
- Ari Racaj was the highlight on offense for Duke in its latest match, as the sophomore striker netted a brace within the first 20 minutes of play. Racaj scored the first goal of the night just 1:09 into the contest, Duke's fastest goal in the run of play since 2011 and fastest overall goal since 2016. He added his second after receiving the ball behind the midfield line and driving the length of the pitch by himself for the goal.
- The Blue Devils have been working through injuries through this season that have sidelined five anticipated starters, and a total of eight expected contributors, for nearly 3,000 cumulative minutes and over 34 total games. Duke's backline was hit the hardest, with multiple anticipated returning starters, along with their substitutes, missing from the XI through the first month of play.
- Preston Zabinko has been sidelined all season, while Jamie Kabuusu made his 2026 debut in Duke's most recent outing against Queens, playing 79 minutes and tallying an assist, before exiting with an injury against Virginia Tech. Maxwell Simpson and Josh Poulson both picked up knocks during the preseason; Poulson has since earned back-to-back start of his career against Queens and Virginia Tech, while Simpson was forced out of his season debut, at NC State, after just 23 minutes, due to injury.
- Thomas Vold has sat against Furman, Georgetown, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech and Ian Hecker, who subsequently embraced a starting role on defense, missed the Georgetown and Wake Forest matches. Key striker Ulfur Bjornsson has been the key missing piece in the offensive third, missing Duke's last two matches after picking up a knock in training.
- In their place, several freshmen and returning Blue Devils have stepped up. Julius Suber has moved from the midfield to the back line, while defender Tucker Smith earned his first career start against Georgetown and forward Adrian Byasiima made the move to defense against the Hoyas. To help fill the spots left in the midfield and attack, freshmen Ethan Congleton, Logan Moniz and Jack Ottley have been consistent starters.
- Freshman winger Jack Ottley is leading the team on offense, with three goals alongside a team-leading four assists to lead the team with 10 points.
- The Chesapeake, Va., native has been a steady presence on the left side of Duke's attack, embracing an enhanced role as the Blue Devils have navigated their injury issues all season.
- He has four different instances of a multi-point outing, including turning in the only multi-assist performance by a Blue Devil so far this season against Furman in late August.
- The Duke men's and women's soccer programs have partnered with Duke Children's to launch the Kicks for Kids initiative in support of Pets at Duke, an impactful service of the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program.
- Pets at Duke brings specially trained therapy dogs to patients receiving care in the hospital and clinics, providing comfort and companionship during their treatment.
- Kicks for Kids pledges are made based on the combined goals, assists, shots, corner kicks and saves recorded by both the Duke men's and women's programs.
- Last season, Duke announced the naming of Freeman Field at Koskinen Stadium, honoring a multi-million dollar gift to enhance the experience of men's and women's lacrosse and soccer.
- The transformational gift by alumni and former football student-athlete Heath Freeman T'02 reflects the Freeman family's commitment to Duke student-athletes and their belief in the power of sport to shape character, build community and elevate excellence.
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