Duke Loses Close Match to No. 2 North Carolina, 2-1

Sunday, October 11

Durham, N.C.

1:00 p.m.

Duke University

North Carolina

Duke Loses Close Match to No. 2 North Carolina, 2-1

10/11/2009 4:15:00 PM | Field Hockey

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. - Duke matched No. 2 North Carolina in all facets of the game, even outplaying the Tar Heels at times, but North Carolina was able to pull out the 2-1 win on a goal in the 65th minute by freshman forward Kelsey Kolojejchick. Seniors Lauren Miller and Amie Survilla were honored after the game as part of the Senior Day ceremonies.

"I think it's the best we've played," head coach Beth Bozman said. "We have said all year how young we are and at times we have had only one junior and one senior on the field. Our goal has always been to keep getting better and better. We have had some serious bumps along the way, but today it all came together for us. We played smart hockey and it almost worked out for us."

The Blue Devils (6-7, 0-4 ACC) gave one of their best efforts of the season against the second-ranked Tar Heels. Duke had the better of the play in the first half and pushed the game into a fast pace. The Blue Devils outshot the Tar Heels 7-4 and had several good scoring opportunities in the first 35 minutes. Senior defender Lauren Miller had an excellent shot from the left side of the circle off a penalty corner that just missed catching the right edge of the cage.

Duke was able to get on the scoreboard at the 19:42 mark due to a well struck shot by senior forward Amie Survilla. Survilla was able to rip a shot past Tar Heel goalie Brianna O'Donnell for her 19th goal of the season.

North Carolina got on the board first off a penalty corner in the 16th minute. Duke stopped the initial shot, but junior midfielder Katelyn Falgowski worked through the scrum and fired a shot from the right side of the circle that deflected into the goal at the 16:49 mark. Falgowski's shot somehow made it through the crowded circle and found its way into the cage.

With the score tied 1-1, neither team took their collective foot off the gas in the second half. Each team had its share of chances, but a stretch of three successive penalty corners by North Carolina led to its game-winning goal in the 65th minute. The Tar Heels had an excellent shot fake at the top of the circle before passing to senior forward Danielle Forword, who was able to find Kolojejchick directly on the far post for the quick hitting goal at the 65:35 mark.

Duke had several looks at goal in the second half, including a trio of close range shot from junior forward Susan Ferger that were all blocked by O'Donnell. Miller had to leave the game late in the second half due to an injury, but the Duke defense held steady in the waning minutes of the game. Junior goalie Samantha Nelson stopped numerous shots on goals from the Tar Heels and ended the day with five saves.

Miller and Survilla were joined by their families at the end of the game to celebrate their tremendous achievements at Duke. The pair of senior classmates has played a collective 148 games for the Blue Devils, while reaching the NCAA tournament in every season, including a Final Four run in 2006. Miller is a two-time All-America selection and has been elected to the All-ACC and All-South Region team three times. Survilla was an All-South Region selection in 2008 and entered this week with the best goals per game mark in the country (1.64).

"Lauren [Miller] and Amie [Survilla] have been so important to our program," coach Bozman said. "Lauren has played almost every minute of every game in her career. She is the quarterback of our team. Amie is one of the leading scorers in the country, what else can you say about her play?"

Duke will hit the road for three consecutive weeks, beginning with William & Mary on Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. and a rematch with No. 16 Old Dominion on Oct. 18 at 1 p.m.

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