Megan Huether Records 13 Saves in No. 3 Duke?s 6-4 Victory Over No. 8 Dartmouth

Sunday, May 7

Hanover, N.H.

6 P.M.

Duke University

Dartmouth

Megan Huether Records 13 Saves in No. 3 Duke?s 6-4 Victory Over No. 8 Dartmouth

5/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse

By: Duke Sports Information

Hanover, N.H. - Megan Huether tallied 13 saves to lead the third-ranked Blue Devils to a 6-4 victory over No. 8 Dartmouth on Sunday in the regular season finale. Duke finishes the regular season with a 16-2 record while the Big Green falls to 13-5 on the year.

The Blue Devils held the Big Green scoreless through the first 23 minutes of the game, taking a 3-0 lead with goals on three free position attempts. Katie Chrest tallied the first goal of the game at the 17:42 mark and then later scored her second of the game with 8:41 to play. Kristen Waagbo recorded Duke's other first half goal with just over 13 minutes to play off a pass from Carolyn Davis on a free position attempt. Dartmouth started to come back with the help of Kristen Barry, who scored twice in the final seven minutes to bring the Big Green to within a goal, 3-2, heading into halftime. The three goals by Duke were the fewest scored in a first half this season. The previous low was four, which Duke scored in their two losses to Virginia and in a win over Notre Dame.

Duke doubled their lead just 1:30 into the second half when Davis took a feed from Chrest and sent it past Dartmouth's goalie Devon Wills. After Jen Pittman brought the Big Green back to within one goal, Huether and the Blue Devils defense held Dartmouth scoreless over the next 22 minutes. Huether recorded eight of her 13 saves in the second half. Meanwhile, Megan Del Monte and Chrest each scored unassisted goals to put Duke ahead by three goals. The Big Green added a goal with just under two minutes to play but it was too late as the Blue Devils controlled possession for most of the second half, winning four of the six draw controls.

Chrest led all scorers with three goals and an assist, moving her into fifth on the ACC career points list with 274 points. She also added two ground balls and two draw controls in the game. Waagbo's goal was her 175th career point, moving her into sole possession of fourth on Duke's career points list. Laura Anderson chipped in five ground balls and two caused turnovers to help the Blue Devils hold their opponent to under 10 goals for the 12th time in 18 games.

Duke tied a school record with its 10th win over a ranked opponent, matching the 2001 squad. The Blue Devils' 16 wins is the most by a Duke squad heading into the NCAA Tournament. The previous high was 15 victories, set by last year's squad.

The NCAA tournament selections will be announced Monday at 8 p.m. on CSTV. The Blue Devils are looking to make their ninth straight appearance in the tournament.