CHAPEL HILL – Graduate student Tess Boade scored in the 55th minute and junior Ruthie Jones made six saves in goal as No. 4 Duke defeated No. 2 North Carolina, 1-0, on Friday night for its first win over the Tar Heels since 2015.
The Blue Devils picked up a marquee win in a top-five battle in front of a sold out Dorrance Field and improved to 7-0-0 (1-0-0 ACC) for the second time in program history. The victory was Duke's fifth all-time against an opponent ranked No. 2 or higher in the United Soccer Coaches poll.
"To beat a program like this on this field with a crowd like tonight, it's just a phenomenal job for us," head coach Robbie Church said. "I can't be any happier for our girls. We worked hard. There are some areas that we've got to improve and we've got to get better at, and we'll do that."
The Blue Devils' scoring play began with senior Mackenzie Pluck leading a counterattack up the left side before feeding the ball through to sophomore Olivia Migli. Migli played one into the box for freshman Michelle Cooper, who centered it across the front of the net for a streaking Boade. The Highlands Ranch, Colo., native drilled her left-footed strike past UNC goalkeeper Claudia Dickey to put the Blue Devils in front.
It was Boade's 17th career goal and eighth game-winner, and marked Duke's first goal against the Tar Heels since Aug. 18, 2017.
North Carolina (7-1-0, 0-1-0 ACC) came out aggressive at the start, firing four shots in the opening 22 minutes. Duke was able to weather the early storm, however, and control possession as the two teams headed into halftime knotted at 0-0. The Tar Heels' best chance came at the 21:38 mark, when Avery Patterson worked herself free on a corner kick and headed one towards the crossbar. Jones came up big for the Blue Devils, getting her left hand on the attempt to preserve the scoreless tie.
Each team ramped up the physicality in the second half, as 14 total fouls were called and four yellow cards were handed out. The Blue Devils fought through for numerous opportunities, finishing the frame with seven shots.
"We've had a lot of teams that wouldn't survive in this type of game," Church said. "This team is a tough team. They're no-nonsense and they want to win. They bring it every day in training, they want to get better and we've got a lot of things to get better from today at the highest level. This is as tough of a team mentally and physically that we've had in while."
Following Boade's goal, North Carolina would record three more shots on target, but none challenged Jones. Duke found multiple chances to double the lead, including a free kick from just outside the box in the 58th minute that Caitlin Cosme sent over the net. Seven minutes later, a Blue Devil counter worked its way to sophomore Grace Watkins, who only had Dickey to beat but fired her left-footed shot wide right.
Duke shut down the Tar Heel attack in the closing minutes, not allowing a good look at an equalizer as time expired.
For the match, North Carolina outshot the Blue Devils 15-9, while Duke earned a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Duke will enjoy a six-day break from games before facing another top-10 test on Thursday, Sept. 23, when it travels to No. 7 Virginia for a 7 p.m. road contest.
NOTES
- The 2021 season marks the 21st at Duke for head coach Robbie Church, where he is now 263-131-59.
- With the win, Duke improved to 7-0-0 for the second time in program history and the first time under Church. The 2000 Blue Devils put together a program-record 8-0-0 start.
- Duke has won six of its last seven road matches dating back to Nov. 1, 2020. The Blue Devils are 8-3-0 in their last 11 contests on the road.
- The Blue Devils have outscored their opponents 13-2 in the second half of games this season.
- Tess Boade netted her third goal of the season and the 17th of her career in the 55th minute. Eight of Boade's 17 career tallies have been game-winners.
- Sophomore Olivia Migli picked up her first career assist on Boade's game-winner. After missing Duke's last match due to an injury, Migli played 64 minutes on Friday night.
- Ruthie Jones' six saves were a season high. The Charlotte, N.C., native earned her fourth shutout in her last five games and is now 10-0-2 over her last 12 starts.
- Duke's victory snapped a 41-game unbeaten streak in ACC regular season matches for North Carolina that dated back to 2017.
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