Duke Falls to No. 3 Virginia, 2-1

Saturday, October 31

Charlottesville, Va.

1:00 p.m.

Duke University

Virginia

Miller Receives ACC Player Of The Week Honors

Duke Falls to No. 3 Virginia, 2-1

10/31/2009 3:00:00 PM | Field Hockey

By: Duke Sports Information

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. - Senior defender Lauren Miller scored in the 20th minute of play, but Virginia notched two goals in the second half to beat Duke, 2-1.

The 14th-ranked Blue Devils (9-9, 0-5 ACC) were able to put four shots on goal against the Cavaliers. Virginia held the slight edge in penalty corners (7-5) and shots (15-8). Junior goalie Samantha Nelson was extremely active in the cage, saving eight Cavalier shots, including six in the first period.

Miller's goal at the 20:25 mark was off a penalty corner. The senior tri-captain gave Duke the 1-0 lead of her fifth goal of the season, which gives her a new season-high. Stefanie Fee also tallied her team-best seventh assist of the season.

Duke went into the half with the lead, but Virginia responded in the last 35 minutes. Paige Selenski was able to score in the 39th minute off an assist from Michelle Vittese. Selenski tipped the ball into the cage off of her teammate's pass. The goal was Selenski's 22nd of the season, one of the highest marks in the NCAA.

Virginia struck again in the 43rd minute. Selenski and Vittese had a two-on-one situation against Nelson, and Vittese netted her sixth goal of the year. Vittese took a pass from Selenski from the right side of the circle and fired a shot that found the back of the cage.

The Blue Devils finished the regular season at 9-9, which included wins over three ranked opponents. Senior Amie Survilla ended her final regular season with a team-best 41 points and 20 goals. Survilla's season goal total is the ninth-best mark in Duke history.

Junior Susan Ferger had eight goals and four assists to collect 20 points on the year. Miller and freshman midfielder Mary Nielsen both ended with double-digit point totals, combining for eight goals and 10 assists. Survilla and Miller were also named NFHCA Senior All-Stars.

In the cage, junior goalie Samantha Nelson logged over 1,100 minutes, recording 75 saves and two shutouts for a 2.13 goals against average.

Duke will return to Charlottesville next week to face Virginia again in the ACC Tournament on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. In order for the Blue Devils to make the NCAA Tournament, they must beat Virginia. Duke has to stay at or above .500 to be eligible for an NCCA berth. Seeding and other ACC Tournament information is linked at the top of this article.

-d-u-k-e-