CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA — Duke's defense held firm while its attack found crucial moments late, as the Blue Devils earned a 2-0 road victory over North Carolina on Friday night. Kenan Hot broke through in the 37th minute before Drew Kerr sealed the result with a free kick goal in the 85th minute, giving Duke its first win in three matches. The Tar Heels, who entered on a two-game losing streak, couldn't generate enough offensive pressure to trouble goalkeeper Eryk Dymora, who made two saves in the shutout.
Hot's opening goal came after sustained pressure from Duke's midfield. The Blue Devils worked the ball into dangerous territory, and Hot capitalized on the opportunity to give his team a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime. It was a breakthrough moment in what had been a tightly contested first half, with both teams trading possession and testing each other's defenses through the opening 36 minutes.
North Carolina had its chances to equalize after the break. Gabriel Bracken Serra forced a save from Dymora in the 53rd minute with a low shot from the left side, but the Duke goalkeeper was equal to the task. The Tar Heels pressed forward throughout the second half, particularly in the final 20 minutes, but couldn't find the finishing touch when opportunities presented themselves. Nacho Abeal had a shot go high in the 73rd minute, and Jack Sandmeyer's effort from a free kick in the 81st minute also sailed over the crossbar.
Duke's defense, anchored by Drew Kerr and supported by midfielder Kamran Acito, weathered North Carolina's attacking waves. The visitors' back line remained organized despite sustained pressure, with corner kicks and free kicks being the primary sources of danger for the home side. Ulfur Bjornsson and Jamie Kabussu provided stability in midfield after halftime, helping Duke control the tempo when it mattered most.
The decisive moment came in the 85th minute when Kerr stepped up to a free kick and fired a left-footed effort into the upper right corner. The goal essentially ended any hopes of a North Carolina comeback, as the Tar Heels had just minutes remaining to respond. It was a clinical finish that reflected Duke's ability to capitalize on set pieces when given the chance.
Statistically, Duke dominated the shot count with 10 attempts to North Carolina's seven, while outshooting the Tar Heels 3-2 on target. Both teams earned two corner kicks apiece, though neither could convert those opportunities into goals. The physical nature of the match was evident in the yellow cards, with Duke receiving three and North Carolina two.
The result marks a significant turnaround for Duke, which had lost to NC State just six days earlier. The Blue Devils improved to 8-2-6 overall with this road victory, while North Carolina's record dropped to 8-4-4 following the loss. For the Tar Heels, the defeat extends their recent struggles after they'd bounced back with a 3-0 win over Virginia Tech before consecutive defeats.
Duke will look to build on this momentum in its next outing, while North Carolina faces the challenge of regrouping quickly. The Tar Heels' defensive vulnerabilities were exposed Friday night, and they'll need to tighten up considerably to reverse their current trajectory as conference play intensifies down the stretch.