Ninth-Ranked Duke Hosts Pennsylvania On Senior Day In Women's Lacrosse

May 3, 2002

The Duke University women's lacrosse team, 8-7 overall, entertains Pennsylvania (7-7) on Saturday, May 4 at 5:00 p.m. in the final regular season game of 2002. Saturday's contest will also mark the final regular season home contest for Blue Devil seniors Kelly Dirks (Annapolis, Md.), Kristen Foster (Ellicott City, Md.), Kristen McElduff (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) and Claire Sullivan (Washington, D.C.).

Duke is coming off a 6-5 loss to #13 Dartmouth in its last outing, while Pennsylvania was a 16-5 winner over Villanova. The Blue Devils need a win to strengthen their chances for the fifth straight NCAA Tournament birth. The 2002 NCAA Tournament field will be announced on Sunday, May 5.

During their four years, the Duke senior class has guided the Blue Devils to a 48-22 record and three NCAA Tournament appearances, with a possible fourth tournament birth coming this season.

Dirks has been an offensive force for the Blue Devils throughout her career. The senior attacker currently ranks second in career goals with 120, fourth in assists (31) and second with 151 career points. Dirks, a 2001 All-ACC selection, has registered at least one point in 14 of the 15 games this season, including a pair of five-point efforts and a six-point game versus Davidson. Dirks also has a team-best shooting percentage of .492 (31-of-63). Over the last eight games, the Annapolis, Md., native has 21 goals and four assists.

Foster has helped anchored the Duke defense for the past four seasons, posting 399 saves. In 51 games, she has allowed 335 goals for a 6.57 goals against average. Foster received several All-America credits last season and has been a Tewaaraton Trophy nominee each of the past two seasons. Foster, an All-ACC selection in 2001 and 2002, set a new school-record with a .609 save percentage versus Johns Hopkins this season.

McElduff has been out the entire year with an injury, but has been a valuable reserve throughout her career. In 19 games, she registered seven shots, two goals and three assists.

Sullivan has started all 69 games in her career, recording 43 goals and 19 assists. She has gathered 140 ground balls in the past three seasons, including a team-high 45 in 2002. Sullivan has been named to the ACC All-Tournament team twice (2000 & 2001) and will match Kate Soulier's school-record of 70 starts with a start today.