No. 14 Duke Comes Up Short Against No. 10 American

Sunday, October 10

Washington, D.C.

1:00 PM

Duke University

American

No. 14 Duke Comes Up Short Against No. 10 American

10/10/2010 4:36:00 PM | Field Hockey

By: Duke Sports Information

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The 14^th-ranked Duke field hockey squad came out strong against No. 10 American, but the Eagles utilized two first half goals to hang on for a 3-1 victory over the Blue Devils Sunday afternoon in Washington, D.C.

American (11-2, 2-0 Patriot) led the way in shots (18-10), but Duke (6-8, 0-4 ACC) held the advantage in penalty corners (6-5) in the match-up of two top-20 teams.

"I think American is a really talented team," head coach Beth Bozman said. "We came out very strong, but they got a goal that broke us a little bit. We adjusted some things in the second half and had a lot of possession time and several scoring opportunities. [We] out-cornered them, but just came up short."

Duke dominated possession in the early going, but it was the Eagles who took an early 1-0 lead on a deflection by Alex McMackin 16 minutes in. American extended its advantage to 2-0 just before halftime on a controversial score by Melissa Casale.

"I am not permitted to comment on officiating and cannot comment on the goal," Bozman added, "but that really gave them momentum going into halftime. That's been their modus operandi; they win [the game] in the first half and hang on for the win."

Sophomore Devon Gagliardi registered the goal for Duke in the 50^th minute of competition as the Wilkes-Barre, Pa., native collected the rebound off a penalty corner shot and found the back of the cage for her first goal of the 2010 season. Freshman Caashia Karringten was credited with the assist, the first of her collegiate career.

American's Christine Fingerhuth converted a penalty stroke at the 41:35 mark for the Eagles' third goal of the day.

Senior goalkeeper Samantha Nelson turned in another solid effort, making three saves on the afternoon.

"Sammy had a great weekend," Bozman said. "She came up with some big saves all weekend. We just need to find a way to keep it out of our goal and we need to find a way to put it in."

Duke will return to action Friday, Oct. 15 as the Blue Devils travel to Williamsburg, Va., to face William and Mary at 7 p.m. Duke then heads to Norfolk, Va., for a rematch with Old Dominion on Sunday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m.

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