Second-Seeded North Carolina Defeats Third-Seeded Duke in ACC Women's Lacrosse Semifinals

April 19, 2002

Box Score| Quotes

DURHAM, N.C. - For the third time in school history, the second-seeded and fourth-ranked North Carolina women's lacrosse team advanced to the championship game of the ACC Tournament on Friday with a 12-8 victory over third-seeded and seventh-ranked Duke Blue Devils. North Carolina (12-2) will next take on Maryland (9-6) on Sunday at 12:00 PM for the ACC Championship. The match will be played at Koskinen Stadium on the campus of Duke University.

Duke led 5-2 with 10:02 left in the first half before inclement weather forced a one hour and 48 minute delay. Prior to the weather delay, the Blue Devils controlled the match led by senior Kelly Dirks with two goals.

North Carolina regrouped and came out on fire after the weather delay outscoring the Blue Devils 10-3 and outshooting Duke 33-8. Leading the Tar Heel charge was Kellie Thompson with five goals and one assist on the afternoon. Thompson scored four of her five goals during a stretch where North Carolina outscored the Blue Devils 8-1 to take a 10-6 lead with 12:45 remaining in the contest.

Only three other players scored for the Tar Heels as Brooke Young recorded three goals, while Christine McPike and Erin McInnes added two each. Duke was led by senior Kelly Dirks with three goals and junior Lauren Gallagher with two goals and an assist. Senior goalkeeper Kristen Foster added 12 saves in net for the Blue Devils.

For the match, North Carolina outshot Duke 44-17 and registered a 44-19 advantage in ground balls. The Blue Devils held a 6-5 lead at the end of the first half.

North Carolina advanced to the ACC Championship games in 1998 and 2000. The Tar Heels lost their previous two title game appearances to Virginia (9-7) and Maryland (17-6), respectively.

Duke will next host James Madison on Wednesday at 3:00 PM.

Score By Period 1 2 F Duke 6 2 8 North Carolina 5 7 12

Shots By Period 1 2 F Duke 10 7 17 North Carolina 21 23 44

Saves By Period 1 2 F Duke 6 6 12 North Carolina 2 3 5