UNC Wilmington men fall to Duke

WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Ryan Finley notched his nation-leading eighth goal as No. 11 Duke edged #23 UNC Wilmington(w), 1-0, in men’s college soccer action on Tuesday at a UNCW stadium record 1,620 fans.

The Blue Devils improved to 3-1-2 with the non-conference road win while the Seahawks dropped to 4-2 and suffered their first home loss of the season.

Finley scored the game’s lone goal off a long feed from Cole Grossman in the 22nd minute. Grossman sent a cross from the right sideline and found Finley, who beat his defender to the ball. He collected the pass, took a touch around UNCW goalkeeper Brock Duckworth, and slid his shot into an open goal from six yards out.

The Seahawks, who built a 10-7 advantage in shots on the evening, had several opportunities in the second half to draw even. Early in the 75th minute, UNCW freshman Andy McDaniel sent a free kick just over the cross bar in a shot that could have drawn UNCW even. They were able to create several other chances, but were unable to find the equalizer.

Duckworth and his counterpart James Belshaw of Duke, both finished with a pair of saves on the game.

The new school record for attendance at the UNCW Soccer Stadium broke the previous mark of 1,398, set in 2008 when the Seahawks hosted Northeastern in the first round of the Colonial Athletic Association tournament.

The Seahawks open conference play this Saturday when they host Hofstra at 7 p.m.