BLACKSBURG – The No. 18 Virginia Tech men's soccer team fell 2-0 to the ninth-ranked Duke Blue Devils at a rainy Thompson Field Friday night.
The loss drops the Hokies to 9-5-3 and 3-4-1 on the season, however Tech had already clinched a home match in the First Round of the ACC's, which will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 31.
Duke, (10-5-1, 5-3) earned a bye in the opening round of the ACC Tournament with the victory.
(10/26/2018) 2018 MEN'S SOCCER vs. DUKE
Both Blue Devil goals were scored by Issa Rayyan, a forward whose season tally now sits at four. The first was scored in the 23rdminute when Daniele Proch crossed in a ball from the right wing that found the feet of Rayyan who initially couldn't control it, but regained his footing to backheel the ball into the bottom corner.
Then in the 50thminute, the pair connected again, this time Rayyan beat a defender and finished in the opposite corner to double the advantage.
The Hokies worked their way back into the game with second half shots by Nico Quashie, David Sanz and Rory Slevin whose free kick flew just over the bar.
In goal, Mathijs Swaneveld, the conference's leader in saves came up with six saves including an acrobatic stop on a free kick that got up and down over the wall, but the 6-foot-5 Dutchman was there to deny the opportunity.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Duke outshot the Hokies 14 to 8, including a 9-0 advantage at the half
- The Blue Devils also owned a 6-1 edge in corner kicks
- The Hokies hadn't been shutout in a game in seven contests, dating back to a match at NC State on Sept. 21.
NEXT UP
Tech will be back at Thompson Field on Wednesday, Oct. 31 against an opponent to be determined based on conference fixtures to be played on Saturday.