Duke Drops 3-2 Decision To Wake Forest In ACC Tournament

Thursday, November 1

Chestnut Hill, Mass.

4:00 p.m.

Duke University

Wake Forest

Duke Drops 3-2 Decision To Wake Forest In ACC Tournament

11/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

By: Duke Sports Information

NEWTON, Mass. ? The 12th-ranked Blue Devil field hockey team fell to third-ranked Wake Forest by a 3-2 score in ACC Tournament action on Thursday evening at Boston College's Newton Campus Turf Field.

Duke earned a penalty opportunity for a shot at an early lead but sophomore Amie Survilla's shot was saved by Wake Forest keeper Crystal Duffield to keep the score tied at zero.

At the other end of the field, Michelle Kasold attempted to lift the ball into the cage but a quick kick save by Blue Devil goalie Caitlin Williams kept the Demon Deacons off the board.

Shortly after, Williams recorded another save on a Wake Forest two-on-one advantage breakaway, as the senior booted away Chelsea Cipriani's shot attempt at the left side of the cage.

At the 17:43 mark, Melissa Martin scored an unassisted goal to give the Demon Deacons a 1-0 advantage, as she flicked the ball over Williams' stick from the left side of the circle.

Williams rebounded with back-to-back saves two minutes later to keep the Demon Deacons at a single goal, until Aileen Davis found Hilary Moore at the right post with 12 minutes remaining in the half to give Wake Forest a 2-0 advantage.

The Blue Devils cut Wake Forest's lead to 2-1 at the 28:39 mark as sophomore Lauren Miller found senior Shayna McGeehan for a tip-in at the right post. The tally was her fourth of the season and fifth of her career.

The Demon Deacons had another breakaway opportunity one minute later, but the shot went high over goal the goal. Duke had a free hit with a minute remaining in the half, but could not convert, as Wake Forest took a 2-1 lead into halftime break.

Wake Forest out-shot Duke 9-3 for the initial stanza, while Duke held a 3-2 advantage in penalty corners. Williams recorded four saves for the Blue Devils and Duffield made two stops.

Duke came out strong in the second half, as junior Ashley Pultorak netted her third goal of the season on a pass from classmate Laura Suchoski less than two minutes into the half to tie the score at two apiece.

The remainder of the contest proved to be a defensive battle, as Williams continued her stellar play in goal. McGeehan and sophomore Brooke Patterson each recorded defensive saves for the Blue Devils, while Duke's midfield and defense held steady inside and outside of the circle.

With 4:13 remaining, Wake Forest got a goal from Kim Romansky off a rebounded shot from a corner to take a 3-2 lead, an advantage that the Demon Deacons would hold on to for the victory.

Wake Forest out-shot Duke 26-6 for the game and held an 11-6 advantage in penalty corners. Williams made a career-high 13 saves for the Blue Devils, including nine in the second half, while Duffield recorded two stops on the evening for the Demon Deacons.

Duke falls to 11-8 on the year, while Wake Forest improves to 12-4. The Blue Devils now await the announcement of the NCAA Tournament field, which will be announced on Tuesday, November 6, at 8 p.m. on CSTV.

-duke-