Duke Falls To Johns Hopkins 9-8 In National Championship Game

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Monday, May 30

Philadelphia, Pa

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Duke University

Johns Hopkins (Championship)

Duke Falls To Johns Hopkins 9-8 In National Championship Game

5/30/2005 1:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse

By: Duke Sports Information

May 30, 2005

Final Stats |  Quotes |  Notes |  Photo Gallery

PHILADELPHIA, PA. - Johns Hopkins won its first NCAA lacrosse title in 18 years, beating Duke 9-8 Monday to complete an undefeated season.

Jake Byrne's goal with 13:35 left in the fourth quarter was the difference for the Blue Jays (16-0), who became the first team to finish the season undefeated and win the national championship since Princeton (15-0) in 1997.

Johns Hopkins had appeared in two of the last three title games in men's Division I, but this victory gave the school its first title since it defeated Cornell in 1987. Hopkins has won eight national titles.

This year's championship game was a rematch of a thriller last month, when Johns Hopkins beat Duke 11-10 in double overtime.

In Monday's rematch, Kyle Harrison, Kevin Huntley, Greg Peyser and Paul Rabil had two goals each for Johns Hopkins. Matt Danowski, Matt Zash and Dan Flannery led Duke (17-3) with two goals apiece.

Duke led 3-1 after the first quarter before the teams began trading goals in the second quarter. The Blue Devils took a 7-6 lead at the half on a score from Zash with 1:33 left.

After a goal from Danowski with 12:43 to go in the third quarter gave Duke an 8-6 lead, Rabil and Peyser scored for the Blue Jays to make it 8-8 at the end of the third quarter.

The Blue Jays made their 16th appearance in an NCAA championship game. Duke was making its first championship appearance.

Johns Hopkins defeated Virginia 9-8 in overtime Saturday to advance to the title game and Duke beat Maryland 18-9.

Duke's 17 wins this season set a school and NCAA record for victories. The Blue Devils' only losses of the season came against Johns Hopkins and Maryland. The Blue Devils won only five games last season with an inexperienced lineup that matured into this year's record-breaking team.