Durham, NC, August 11, 2025
News Summary
The Duke University men’s soccer team was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament after a 1-0 defeat to the University of San Diego. Despite entering the match as No. 2 nationally and riding a strong regular season, Duke struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities. The only goal came late in the second half from San Diego. Head coach John Kerr expressed disappointment over the team’s early exit, marking the second consecutive year they were eliminated at home. With a record of 11-4-4, Duke looks to build on their regular season successes moving forward.
Durham, NC – The Duke University men’s soccer team’s journey in the NCAA Tournament came to an abrupt halt on August 8, 2025, as they lost to the University of San Diego by a score of 1-0 in the second round at Koskinen Stadium. This defeat marks an early exit for Duke, who had high hopes after recently climbing the national rankings.
Duke entered the match ranked No. 2 nationally, significantly improved from their previous encounter with San Diego earlier in the season, which ended in a 2-2 draw. The Blue Devils had concluded their regular season on a strong note with a 10-game undefeated streak, including five consecutive victories. However, the momentum did not carry over into the tournament.
San Diego, who had finished strong in the West Coast Conference with a record of 7-1, arrived in Durham fresh off a 1-0 victory over UC Davis. The Toreros were poised and tactical, leading to their critical win against Duke.
The match had a slow start, with limited offensive action in the first half. The two teams combined for only five shots, with just one on target. Duke’s Kenan Hot had an early chance to give his team the lead in the fifth minute, but his goal was disallowed due to a foul, setting the tone for a frustrating first half for the Blue Devils.
As the second half commenced, Duke increased their offensive efforts, particularly after key player Adam Luckhurst was introduced. The change led to a significant uptick in shot attempts as the Blue Devils pushed for an equalizer. However, the turning point came in the 82nd minute when San Diego’s Jack Sandmeyer capitalized on a corner kick opportunity to score the only goal of the match.
Throughout the match, Duke struggled to find scoring opportunities despite a fast-paced approach. San Diego’s Vicente Ayala received a yellow card during the game for a slide tackle on Duke’s Trevor Burns, highlighting the physical nature of the matchup. Ultimately, Duke’s efforts fell short, concluding their season with a record of 11-4-4 and a conference record of 4-1-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Head Coach John Kerr expressed disappointment regarding the early playoff exit, emphasizing the need to reshape the narrative surrounding Duke’s struggles in postseason play at home. This loss marked the second consecutive year Duke had been eliminated from the playoffs at home with a 1-0 scoreline.
As Duke reflects on the season, the focus now shifts to future contests and the imperative to build on their solid performances during the regular season while addressing the shortcomings revealed in the tournament.
FAQ
What was the final score of the Duke vs. San Diego NCAA Tournament match?
The final score was 1-0 in favor of San Diego.
How did Duke perform during the regular season?
Duke concluded the regular season with a record of 11-4-4, including a strong 10-game undefeated streak.
What was the reason for the disallowed goal by Duke?
The goal was disallowed due to a foul call against Kenan Hot, who had scored in the fifth minute.
When did Duke last face San Diego?
Duke last faced San Diego in August 2025, which resulted in a 2-2 tie.
Key Match Statistics
| Statistic | Duke | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 0 | 1 |
| Total Shots | X | X |
| Shots on Goal | X | X |
| Fouls | X | X |
| Yellow Cards | X | 1 |
| Corner Kicks | X | X |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Duke Travels to Coastal Carolina for First Exhibition
- Wikipedia: Duke Blue Devils men’s soccer
- Blue Devils Play to 1-1 Draw at Coastal Carolina
- Google Search: Duke mens soccer 2025
- Duke vs. San Diego NCAA Tournament Recap
- Google Scholar: Duke mens soccer NCAA Tournament
- Blue Devils Begin Preseason Practice
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Duke Blue Devils soccer
- Coach Kyle Johnston Profile
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