No. 18 Huskies Fall to No. 6 Duke on Late Goal
DURHAM, N.C. -- The Washington women's soccer team wrapped up its opening weekend trip to North Carolina with a thrilling match against No. 6 Duke.
The Huskies were up for the challenge from the opening whistle, batting the Blue Devils to a 0-0 stalemate through the first 45 minutes. In the first half, UW posted five shots, with two of them on goal.
Both teams would continue to press on in the second half, with Duke finding a breakaway down the left wing in the 53rd minute. Michelle Cooper would slot in a perfect finish in the lower-right corner to put the Blue Devils ahead 1-0.
For the next 30 minutes, the Huskies continued to push forward and hunt an equalizer. Ruby Hellstrom worked the ball into the box in the 58th minute and caused her defender to fall on the ball, although no penalty was awarded for a handball.
Hellstrom would continue to be a catalyst on offense, as she sent in a long throw to help create a scoring chance in the 81st minute. After the ball was deflected around the edge of the box, it landed at the feet of Summer Yates, who rocketed in a shot to the lower left corner of the net to draw UW level with nine minutes left in the contest.
Summer Yates' goal to draw us level in the 81st minute ??#GoHuskies pic.twitter.com/q0n4UIYXpH
— Washington Women's Soccer (@UW_WSoccer) August 22, 2021
The Blue Devils were undeterred, however, and came right back at the UW defense. Eventually, their attack led to an open net, which Mackenzie Pluck took advantage of to give Duke a 2-1 lead in the 88th minute. That would wind up as the game-winner and the Huskies dropped to 0-2 to start their season.
Washington will return from the east coast and open up its home schedule on Sunday August 29th against Loyola Marymount at noon.