Duke Defeats ODU, 1-0, On Dickinson?s Late Score

Sunday, September 21

Durham, N.C.

1:00 p.m.

Duke University

Old Dominion

Duke Defeats ODU, 1-0, On Dickinson?s Late Score

9/21/2008 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. ? After playing to a scoreless first half, the No. 9 Duke field hockey team used a goal from Marian Dickinson in the 57th minute to pull away from Old Dominion, 1-0, Sunday afternoon at Williams Field.

The Blue Devils (6-2) earned their second win of the weekend and improved to 3-0 at home this season, while the Lady Monarchs fell to 1-6 with the loss.

The game-winning goal was Dickinson's third of the weekend and broke the afternoon's scoring drought, as the senior captain deflected sophomore Susan Ferger's shot into the back of the cage to put the Blue Devils up 1-0. Ferger had taken the hard shot from the far right side of the circle before an awaiting Dickinson sent it past the keeper from her spot on the left.

“We knew it was going to be a hard-fought game today,” said head coach Beth Bozman. “In spite of their record, Old Dominion is a very talented team and we knew they'd have a good game-plan for us. We had a few ups and downs, but we stuck to our plan and were able to get one there at the end.”

Ferger had another opportunity just moments after the first Blue Devil goal, as she carried the ball on a breakaway, but the aggressive Old Dominion keeper came far out of the cage to come up with the stop.

The first half ended scoreless despite Duke's nine shot opportunities to ODU's two. Lady Monarchs keeper Kelly Driscoll came up with five saves in the first to keep it scoreless to that point.

Duke ended the day up 18-6 in the shot column and also led 10-5 on penalty corners. Freshman Ali Comolli recorded her second win in the cage for the Blue Devils. Dickinson and junior Lauren Miller each took three shots on the afternoon for Duke. ODU was led by Katelyn Smither's three attempts.

Collecting the pair of weekend victories with yesterday's 3-2 win over Ohio State as well, Duke will remain at home for three more beginning with next weekend's clash with ACC and local rival North Carolina, currently ranked fifth in the nation with a 4-2 ledger.

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