Duke and Georgetown Battle to Thrilling 2-2 Draw in Nation's Capital
Ranked Blue Devils twice surrender lead as Hoyas mount spirited comeback at Shaw Field
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a captivating display of attacking soccer, 14th-ranked Duke and Georgetown played to an entertaining 2-2 draw at Shaw Field on Friday evening, with both sides showcasing resilience and quality in equal measure.
The match remained scoreless through a cagey first half, as both defenses held firm despite sustained pressure. Georgetown goalkeeper Tenzing Manske was particularly impressive, making three crucial saves to keep the contest level at the interval. Duke's attack probed consistently but found little space against a well-organized Hoyas backline.
The second half exploded into life with four goals across the final 45 minutes. Georgetown broke the deadlock in dramatic fashion when Zach Zengue hammered home from close range with his left foot in the 73rd minute. Matthew Van Horn provided the assist as the Hoyas finally capitalized on their territorial advantage.
The lead lasted just six minutes before Duke responded with characteristic determination. Kenan Hot curled into the bottom left corner to restore parity, with Alessandro Arlotti threading the decisive pass to set up the equalizer.
Duke's momentum proved short-lived as Georgetown immediately struck back. Mitchell Baker rifled into the net with his right foot just three minutes later, once again putting the Hoyas ahead. Zengue turned provider this time, setting up Baker's clinical finish that sent the home crowd into raptures.
The drama reached its crescendo in the 87th minute when Leonardo D'Ambrosio tucked away Duke's second equalizer. The substitute slotted home with his right foot after excellent work from Aridon Racaj, who provided the assist to salvage a point for the Blue Devils.
Tactically, the match showcased contrasting approaches in the second half. Georgetown's high press forced Duke into several turnovers, while the Blue Devils relied on quick transitions and individual brilliance to create their scoring opportunities. The Hoyas edged the statistical battle with 15 shots to Duke's 12, while both teams registered multiple shots on target.
The closing stages featured intense end-to-end action, with both sides pushing for a winner. Georgetown earned five corner kicks to Duke's three, demonstrating their sustained attacking pressure throughout the contest. However, Duke's quality in the final third ultimately prevented the Hoyas from claiming all three points.
Disciplinary issues mounted as the match intensified, with Duke receiving three yellow cards including cautions for Preston Zabinko, Aleksandar Vukovic, and Aridon Racaj. Georgetown's Zengue also found his way into the referee's book as tensions rose in the final stages.
The result maintains Duke's unbeaten record while Georgetown continues to build momentum in their early season campaign. Both teams demonstrated the attacking quality and defensive resilience that will serve them well as conference play approaches.
Key Players
- Zach Zengue (Georgetown) - Hammered home the opening goal and provided the assist for Baker's winner, showcasing excellent movement in the final third - Leonardo D'Ambrosio (Duke) - Made an immediate impact off the bench, tucking away the crucial equalizer to earn his team a valuable point - Tenzing Manske (Georgetown) - Made six crucial saves to keep his team in the contest, including several spectacular stops in the first half