Collegiate Times

The women's soccer team stunned the No. 11-ranked Duke Blue Devils, shutting them out 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at Thompson Field.

Tech had never beaten Duke before in their four previous tries.  Tech improved to 4-4-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and 10-7-2 overall.  The Blue Devils fell to 12-4-3 overall, 4-3-3 in conference play. 

With 16:58 left to go in the first half, senior Laurie Beth Puglisi headed a ball into the net past Duke senior goalkeeper Cassidy Powers to give the Hokies the first lead.  Junior Robin Chidester assisted the goal.  It was the second assist on the season for Chidester and the fifth goal for Puglisi.  

"(Chidester) gave me great ball and I was able to put it in," Puglisi said.  "I knew that if I wasn't able to get to it, Emily Jukich was right there behind me."

With just under ten minutes left to play in the first period, the Hokies came within inches of taking a two-goal lead when sophomore Jennifer Harvey headed it off the left post off of a throw in from Junior Julian Johnson. 

At the half, the Hokies had seven shots.  The Blue Devils had just two.  Redshirt senior Ashley Owens had one save for Tech, compared to two for Powers.  Tech had four corner kicks, while Duke compiled two. 

Owens got the start and played the entire game in goal for Tech, recording the shutout.  Neither goalkeeper needed to make a save in the second period of play. 

"I just enjoyed the opportunity to go out there and play with my teammates, today," Owens said.  "The defense played a great game, and to be able to do this on Senior Day was really special for all of us."  

At the end of the game, the Hokies tallied 11 shots in the game, compared to just six shots by the Blue Devils.   Tech committed 14 fouls in the game and Duke committed seven. 

It was the third time the Hokies defeated a ranked opponent this season.  Other wins include a 3-0 win over Cal State-Fullerton and a 1-0 win over Virginia.

"I think we've come a long way from when I got here fives years ago," said head coach Kelly Cagle.  "I think we're building (the program) up to where we want it to be."  

The win improves Virginia Tech's resume for a possible NCAA Tournament bid. 

"I think this gets us in," said Cagle.  "We've had a couple big wins this year versus ranked teams, and I think this one makes our case even better." 

Tech's next match will be in the ACC Tournament against the Florida State Seminoles.  They will try to get revenge from a 3-1 loss in Tallahassee, Fla. on September 28.  Tech is the No. 7 seed and will travel to Cary, N.C. this Wednesday, where the ACC Tournament is being held.