Despite facing an early deficit, the No. 3 Duke men's soccer program (9-1-0, 4-0-0 ACC) responded with a 3-1 victory over Elon (5-5-1, 2-1-1 CAA) on Tuesday night in Koskinen Stadium.

Sophomore Nick Pariano led the way for the Blue Devils offense, registering a career-high four points, with one goal and two assists. Sophomore defender Lewis McGarvey made his first appearance on the score sheet in 2021 with a game tying goal, while sophomore Thorleifur Ulfarsson scored his eighth goal of the season. Senior Eliot Hamill added another win in goal, recording two saves.

"We had our moments where we defended well, but there's always things to learn, grow and understand other teams trying to figure out ways to get past us," said Head Coach John Kerr. "We only gave up a goal again, so that's three goals in ten games so we are pleased with that overall approach, but we know that against ACC teams, it's going to be a challenge if we don't get tighter in certain areas of the field."

For the first time this season, the Blue Devils faced a regulation deficit, when Elon's Jack Edwards got on the board with a 16th minute tally. Edwards snuck in behind the defense and was fed a cross by Kasper Lehm right on to his feet and then past an outstretched Hamill.

Prior to the Elon goal, the Blue Devils had never trailed in regulation, with the only deficit coming via a sudden-death goal from Seattle in double overtime. The Blue Devils were not fazed by the early hole and were able to respond quickly.

After a scoring opportunity from sophomore Antino Lopez that was stopped by the Elon goalkeeper Peter Wentzel, the Blue Devils were able to get multiple corner kick chances. On the final one in the 27th minute, Pariano delivered a ball into the top right corner of the six-yard box, meeting a leaping McGarvey, who was able to get a chest on the ball and deposit it in the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1.

The Blue Devils would spend much of the remainder of the half in Elon's half of the field, with Ulfarsson and Pariano earning several more chances. The pressure would pay off when another cross into the box ended up drawing a handball on Ryan Manna. Pariano would take the penalty kick and tuck it into the back right corner for his second such conversion this season and a 2-1 lead.

Duke's defense was able to stand tall and support Hamill, who made two saves in the second half. From there, it was more production from Pariano and Ulfarsson, as the duo connected again in the 78th minute.

After a defensive stop from Ian Murphy, Pariano got the ball on the wing was off and running. With plenty of space to create, Pariano found a streaking Ulfarsson, who slipped into the box and delivered a header into the bottom left-hand corner.

With the goal, Ulfarsson recorded his eighth of the season and reaches 16 points. Of the 20 players with seven or more goals in the country entering play on Tuesday, Ulfarsson has recorded his total in the least number of games.

The Blue Devils will hit the road for another top-15, ACC matchup, facing No. 13 Pittsburgh on Saturday at 7 p.m. Saturday's game will be broadcast on ACCNX.