No. 10 Duke Tops No. 8 Michigan State, 3-2, in Overtime

Sunday, August 30

Durham, N.C.

1:30 p.m.

Duke University

Michigan State

Miller Headlines 2009 ACC All-Academic Team

No. 10 Duke Tops No. 8 Michigan State, 3-2, in Overtime

8/30/2009 6:00:00 PM | Field Hockey

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. - No. 10 Duke beat No. 8 Michigan State, 3-2, in overtime on Saturday to claim the Champions Challenge title on Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium. The Blue Devils overcame a two-goal deficit in the second half with senior tri-captain Lauren Miller capping off the comeback with her third goal of the year on a penalty stroke at the 76:16 mark.

Duke moves to 2-0 with the win, and head coach Beth Bozman gets her 100th victory as head coach of Duke field hockey.

"I really think the second half of the first half we really played our game and we dominated we just couldn't get the ball in...we penetrated the circle and weren't able to get shots," said Bozman. "We just reinforced what our game plan was and how we knew it would work and if we stuck to our game plan we would be able to pull this win off, and it worked."

Miller's game-winning goal slipped past Michigan State goalie Elissa Unger for the win. It was her third goal in two games, matching her season total from a year ago.

Michigan State took the early lead in the game, when junior midfielder Jantine Steinmetz scored in the third minute to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead. Steinmetz tallied another goal in the 40th minute after she slotted a low shot into the left side of the cage.

The Blue Devils were able to overcome being down two scores, as junior tri-captain Sarah Schoffstall broke through in the second half with a goal in the 46th minute that was assisted by Miller.

Duke tied the score at two only minutes later, as junior forward Susan Ferger scored in the 51st minute. She lofted a high shot over Unger after a nice pass from sophomore midfielder Tara Jennings.

Duke entered overtime being down one player, as Jennings had to sit out for a yellow card issued with only 11 seconds left in the second half. The Blue Devils were able to hold on as Jennings re-entered the game in the 11th minute of extra time.

Junior goalie Samantha Nelson recorded four saves and also helped stop a penalty stroke taken by Michigan State early in the game that just missed high off the post.

Duke will be back in action at Drexel on Sept. 5 and vs. St. Joseph's at Drexel on Sept. 6. The Blue Devils will return home to open their ACC schedule against Wake Forest on Sept. 12.