Paladins Pull Off Upset Against No. 19 Duke
Furman University’s men’s soccer team delivered a stunning 4‑3 victory over Duke, the 19th‑ranked side in the nation, in a non‑conference clash that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The match began with Mason Peacock opening the scoring for the Paladins at the 4:18 mark, only to see Luke Munson forced out of action in the 11th minute with a season‑ending injury.
Duke answered quickly as Ulfur Bjornsson struck twice, the second coming in the 19th minute, giving the Blue Devils a 2‑1 lead that seemed to settle the contest early.
A swift turnaround came when Trip Campbell and Luke Hutzell combined to set up Grayson Travis, leveling the score at 2‑2 and shifting momentum.
Diego Hernandez then found the net in the 67th minute, putting Furman ahead for the first time, while Wilfer Bustamante sealed the win with a decisive goal in the 76th minute.
Duke managed a late consolation through Tucker Smith in the 86th minute, but Furman’s defense held firm, with Aaron Salinas making four crucial saves and Max Deisenhofer adding two for the visitors.
Coach Brandon Tucker praised the squad’s resilience after the match, highlighting the collective effort that turned a 2‑1 deficit into a triumphant finish.
Looking ahead, the Paladins will travel to face UNC Wilmington on Sunday at 4 p.m., then return home to meet Davidson on Friday, September 4, before hosting Garner‑Webb on September 9 at 6 p.m.
Despite being outshot 15‑11 and out‑cornered 7‑1, Furman’s disciplined defending in the final minute preserved the victory and underscored the team’s growing confidence.