DURHAM, NC -- The University of Delaware men's soccer team began its 2007 campaign with a 6-1 loss to national title contender Duke, ranked No. 4 nationwide in the NSCAA/adidas pre-season poll and No. 1 by Top Drawer Soccer.

Freshman midfielder Jon Scheer (right) scored a second-half goal for the Blue Hens, who were outshot 33-10 by the Blue Devils.

In the teams' first-ever meeting, Tomek Charowski put Duke ahead with a bullet to the bottom right corner of the net in the 16th minute. Less than a minute later, Joe Germanese followed suit, beating Blue Hen goalie Taylor Thames, who had eight saves on the night.

Up 2-0 at intermission, Duke extended its lead on All-American Michael Videira's goal in the 53rd minute. The Blue Devils added three more scores before Scheer put Delaware on the board in the 86th minute on a feed from junior forward Tolu Olowolafe.

Sophomore midfielder Paul Danaher and junior forward Matt Laudeman recorded two shots apiece to lead the Blue Hen effort.

UD last played a nationally-ranked opponent on October 1 of last year, when the Hens toppled No. 21 James Madison 3-2. The Hens hadn't played an opponent ranked higher than No. 4 since a 2005 loss to then-No. 3 Old Dominion.

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