The Duke Blue Devils defeated the women’s soccer team 2-0 Sunday afternoon at Dail Soccer Stadium. The loss on senior day denies State its first winning season since 2002 and eliminates the Wolfpack from any postseason play. ”In the first half I was extremely pleased. We played well, we possessed the ball, we got forward and I thought we were the more dangerous team,” coach Steve Springthorpe said. “In the second half, Duke made some adjustments, played a little different style and we ultimately faltered when the time came.” Needing a win to have any chance at an NCAA berth, State came out and played hard for the entire game, but could not pull out the win. ”Our team battled, but we still have to find out how to win games and how to be more competitive when things are on the line. We haven’t done a good job of that so far,” Springthorpe said. “Overall, I’m pleased with the effort. We came out, we battled. But Duke needed the win and they found a way to do it.” Sunday’s contest was the end of the careers of five of State’s players. Katie Ruiz, Gia Cipollini, Kendall Irby, Meredith Parrilla and Chantalle Dugas all played their last regular season match. The five players have all played significant roles with the Pack over multiple seasons, combining for over 340 games played. ”I’m sad that it’s ended for them, and I appreciate everything they did for us, helping turn our program around,” Springthorpe said. Despite a somewhat sour ending, the program did make strides this year under Springthorpe. The 8-9-2 record is the best State has had since 2006. The Pack also picked up its first ACC win since 2007. ”They’re moving in the right direction for sure,” Ruiz said. “The attitude change that I’ve seen is something that will carry them forward. I felt that in games in conference, everybody believed we could win. Ruiz, one of the team captains, was injured midway through the first half when a Duke player’s shoulder caught her on the cheek. In spite of a quickly-forming black eye, Ruiz played the entire second half. According to Parrilla, that is just one example of the dedication and drive this team has shown, both in this game and all season. ”I have never played with a group of girls like this that just fight and claw, fight and scratch. [Ruiz] is over here with a big lump on her face, but she is back in the second half playing the game of her life,” Parrilla said. “I am just so proud of this team.” But despite the progress State has shown, Springthorpe knows the team needs to build off this year and continue to improve. ”We were relevant this year. I think we made some improvements. Beating a good UVA squad was a good step for us, being in games with tough ACC opponents is a big step for us. We are nowhere near where we want to be, but I think we’ve made some good movement forward,” Springthorpe said. “We will have to keep moving forward, learning how to win tougher games and improving on some of the things that we did this year.”