Penn State vs. Duke Women's Soccer Quarterfinal Breakdown
#1 Penn State vs. #3 Duke
Duke boasted one of the best scoring teams in the nation during the regular season and that has not changed during the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Devils netted six goals against Loyola (MD) in the first round, including a hat-trick by Kaitlyn Kerr. In the second round they tallied four goals against Miami (OH). The game against seconded seeded Virginia in the third round was a bit more difficult, but Duke still scored three goals and allowed just one. Junior striker Kim DeCesare has accounted for four goals in the last two games and Penn State better keep an eye on her at all times. But that is when Kerr, Gilda Doria, Cassie Pecht and Laura Weinberg will make them pay.
Speaking of talented goal scorers, Penn State does not lack in that department. They led the nation in scoring during the regular season and will not slow down now. The Nittany Lions scored four goals in their shutout win in the first round against LIU-Brooklyn and scored five against Boston College. The third round contest against Michigan resulted in just one goal and a penalty kick victory, but for the most part Penn State really dominated that game. The shots just were not going in. In order to stop the strike power of Maya Hayes, Mallory Weber and Christine Nairn, Duke keeper Tara Campbell and the back line will have to be playing at their best.
See all Women’s Soccer Breakdowns
