BLACKSBURG, Va. –No. 2 Duke finished with nine shots on goal, but Virginia Tech goalkeeper Alia Skinner stood tall down the stretch as the Blue Devils and Hokies battled to a 1-1 draw on Sunday at Thompson Field.

After sophomoreNicky Chico netted her first career goal to tie the game in the 35th minute, the Blue Devils (7-1-1, 1-1-1 ACC) controlled the vast majority of the play and found numerous opportunities for the go-ahead strike. Skinner came up with eight saves for the Hokies, however, keeping her team in the game through the rest of regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods.

Duke was also playing 11-on-10 for the last 30 minutes of play, as Virginia Tech midfielder Makenzie Graham was assessed a red card at the 78:30 mark. The Blue Devils prodded the Hokie defense relentlessly and looked to have the game-winner in the 94th minute when seniorMarykate McGuire worked herself free in the 18-yard box and attempted to chip one by Skinner. Skinner extended her right leg to deflect the shot, ending the opportunity.

Virginia Tech (7-2-2, 1-0-2 ACC) struck first in the 22nd minute when Victoria Haugen played a long ball past the Duke defense that found Tori Powell in stride. Powell raced towards goal and sent in a quick centering pass that Nicole Kozlova buried to give the home team an early advantage.

Duke responded with increased offensive pressure, as the Blue Devils appeared to get the equalizer twice before the plays were both deemed offside.

Chico's tally to tie the game occurred off a counterattack led by graduate studentTess Boade. Boade entered the attacking third and tried to feed one behind the defense for seniorMackenzie Pluck. Pluck was met by a pair of Hokies and still managed to pass the ball through towards the left side of the net, where Chico raced to prevent a goal kick and chipped it high towards Skinner. The ball arched over Skinner's outstretched arm and dropped perfectly inside the back post, giving the Blue Devils a much-needed answer.

Virginia Tech had two golden chances in the late stages of the game, first on a one-on-one opportunity for Powell at the 58:09 mark. Powell accepted a nifty feed behind the Duke defense and only had goalkeeperRuthie Jones to beat, but fired her shot wide of the left post. Powell had a second look in the 96th minute when the Hokies played a ball over the top, giving the forward a breakaway from 30 yards in. Jones came up with a game-saving stop and cleared the rebound from danger as well, continuing the match for Duke.

Jones finished with two saves on the night. Pluck led the Blue Devils on the attack with four shot attempts, while Boade fired three.

Duke looks to get back in the win column when it returns to Koskinen Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 2, for a 7 p.m. match against Syracuse. The game will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra.

NOTES

• The 2021 season marks the 21st at Duke for head coachRobbie Church, where he is now 263-132-60.
• Duke trails the all-time series against Virginia, 16-20-9.
• The all-time series versus Virginia Tech now stands at 13-4-3 in favor of Duke.
• SophomoreNicky Chico scored her first career goal in her 12th game for the Blue Devils. The Wyckoff, N.J., native also played the entire 110 minutes, marking a career high.
• SeniorMackenzie Pluck's assist on the tying goal was her 50th career point.
• SophomoreGrace Watkins played a career-high 55 minutes and recorded a shot on goal.
• JuniorRuthie Jones now has 15 saves on 17 shots on goal over her last four games.

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