American college soccer season
The 1986 Duke Blue Devils men's soccer team represented Duke University during the 1986 NCAA Division I men's soccer season. 
The Blue Devils won the first ever national title this season. It was the second ever season the Billikens fielded a men's varsity soccer team, and it is considered by many American soccer historians to be the start of a dynasty.
Background.
In the 1985 season, Duke's soccer team had a successful record of 4-2 in the ACC and 16-5 overall. However, they faced the loss of four-year starters Tom Kain and goalkeeper Pat Johnston to graduation. Head coach John Rennie, with a strong returning midfield and defense, looked to seniors John Kerr, Jr., Kelly Weadock, and Mike Linenberger to step up. Rennie also recruited a strong incoming class, including freshman Joey Valenti from Tampa, Florida, who would later assist in a game-winning goal against Akron.
Review.
The early season results were mixed, with losses to Catawba, NC State, and Maryland, but victories over North Carolina and Wake Forest. Duke ended the regular season 15-5-1, including a 4-0 loss to Virginia. Despite some close losses, Duke registered eleven shutouts and five matches with a win margin of at least four goals.
In the first round of the NCAA tournament, Duke faced 13th-ranked South Carolina, winning 3-2 with all goals scored in the first half. In the second round, they defeated 12th-ranked NC State 2-0 with goals from freshmen Brian Benedict and Joey Valenti. In the quarterfinals, Duke played Loyola of Baltimore, winning 2-1 and ending Loyola's 30-game winning streak.
Duke then faced Ivy League Champion Harvard, winning 3-1 with two early goals by Kerr. The national championship game was held on December 13 in the Tacoma Dome against 12th-ranked Akron Zips. Duke won 1-0 with a goal by Tom Stone, assisted by Joey Valenti and Carl Williamson. Starting goalkeeper Mark Dodd made three saves for his ninth shutout of the season.
Following the championship, John Kerr was awarded the 1986 Hermann Trophy and the National Player of the Year Award by the Missouri Athletic Club. Teammates Stone and Weadock were named most valuable offensive and defensive players of the national championship game, respectively. Freshman Robert Probst was named to the 1986 Men's All-Freshman Team by Soccer America. Undefeated at home (12-0-1), the team returned to Duke with their first national championship trophy in any sport, greeted by the cheers of the campus community and Duke President Keith Brodie.
Schedule.
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References.
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