Sept. 7, 2007
Final Stats
DURHAM, N.C. - The Villanova Wildcats (2-1) got a first half goal from senior Mike Del Guercio and withstood a furious second half rally to stun No. 1 ranked Duke 1-0 at the 26th annual Duke/addidas Soccer Classic here before a crowd of 3,459 here tonight.
"The effort from everyone tonight was monumental," stated Villanova head coach Larry Sullivan. "We obviously believed we could do it and there were so many individuals tonight who played at a high level. Our captains, Matt Sleece and Joe Taylor, were tremendous. Everyone was.
"I just think this is another building block for our program. I never believed the 1-0 lead would hold up against the No. 1 team in the country through the entire second half. But the effort we got in our goal mouth from guys to get feet on the ball or block shots was incredible. It really was a total team effort."
Duke owned a 13-3 advantage in shots in the first half. But it was Villanova that managed to capitalize. Sophomore Mike Seamon beat his man along the sideline and fed a perfect low ball to Del Guercio. The senior sent a low shot off the inside of the post that beat Blue Devil goalkeeper Justin Papadakis at the 32:48 mark.
Wildcat goalkeeper Jason Friel made four saves in the first half to hold the Blue Devils (2-1) in check.
"We knew they would bring everything they had in the second half," said Sullivan.
The Blue Devils (No. 1 in the soccerdrawer.com poll, No. 2 in Soccer America and Soccer Times) did just that, producing 12 shots in the period, including six on goal. Duke generated five corner kicks in the second half and a total of nine on the night. But Friel and his teammates were equal to the challenge.
"To do this tonight, on the road against the No. 1 team in the country is something all of these guys should take pride in," stated Sullivan. "It really was a spectacular effort."
The Wildcats return to this same field on Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. to face North Carolina State on the final day of the Duke/addidas Classic.
