DURHAM, N.C. – Duke broke open a close game with a big second half to claim a 4-0 victory over the Milwaukee men's soccer team Sunday at Koskinen Stadium.
The Panthers (0-2) were in a tight 1-0 match with the No. 12 Blue Devils (2-0) until the hosts scored a pair of goals in a 12-minute span early in the second half to take control and claim the championship in the Rennie Nike Invitational.
Shakur Mohammed led the way for Duke with a pair of goals, while Eliot Hamill posted a second straight clean sheet with three saves.
A disjointed first half did not help, with a late start added to a pair of lightning delays playing a role in getting any flow going on offense.
Josh Kidder was able to force a save just 43 seconds into the match but MKE only recorded one more shot over the first 45 minutes – coming in the 37
th minute from
David Cox.
Things improved in the second – the Panthers produced twice as many shots, but the Blue Devil defense weathered all four to finish off their second shutout in as many games to open the 2022 campaign.
Shawn Azcueta and
Raul Medina were named to the All-Tournament Team.
The Blue Devils wrapped the day with the shot advantage of 17-6 overall, but just 5-to-3 in shots on target. They also forced eight of the nine corner kicks on the day. Kidder led the offense with a pair of shots.
Up next, the Panthers return home to open play at Engelmann Stadium, opening the MKE slate by hosting Wisconsin Sept. 1. Game time against the Badgers is set for 7 p.m.
