Upcoming Event: Field Hockey at Syracuse on September 26, 2025 at 6 p.m.
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6 p.m.
Field Hockey
at Syracuse
Saturday, August 28
East Lansing, Mich.
2:00 PM
Duke University
3
vs
2
Louisville
Duke Downs Louisville in Double Overtime
8/28/2010 5:05:00 PM | Field Hockey
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Duke field hockey team overcame a 2-1, second-half Louisville lead and won its season-opening contest in double overtime by a 3-2 margin. Senior Susan Ferger tallied both the game-tying and game-winning goals as the 10th-ranked Blue Devils are now 1-0 to start the 2010 season. No. 13 Louisville drops to 0-1 with the loss.
“It's always important to come off a hard preseason with a win and see the results of your efforts,” head coach Beth Bozman said. “We knew Louisville was going to be a strong opponent, and they were. We're still building and it's still a work in progress, but I was pleased that our effort was consistent with Duke Field Hockey. We're very excited about that.”
For the game, Louisville outshot Duke, 13-10, and also held a 10-2 advantage in penalty corners, but the Blue Devil defense was able to thwart the Cardinal threats . Senior goalkeeper Samantha Nelson made five saves on the day and allowed two goals, while her Louisville counterpart, Erin Conrad, stopped four Duke shots and allowed three goals.
The two teams battled through a scoreless first half before freshman Emmie Le Marchand deflected a cross from classmate Grace Christus to open the scoring in the 38th minute of play. The Cardinals would respond eight minutes later, knotting the score at one-all on an unassisted goal from Amber Thomas. Louisville continued to pressure the Duke defense and took its first lead of the game in the 58th minute, capitalizing on a corner opportunity.
As time wound down in the second frame, Ferger, Duke's leading scorer from a season ago, delivered the game-tying score off a cross to the lower right corner of the cage. Neither squad could break through with the game-winner during the first overtime period, however, Ferger again delivered for the Blue Devils with her second goal of the afternoon. The Duke senior corralled a rebound and lifted her shot into the left corner of the cage to give Duke the victory.
The Blue Devils will now face host No. 7 Michigan State on day two of the tournament at the Spartans' Ralph Young Field. Michigan State also emerged victorious on the first day of play, defeating Central Michigan, 4-2, in the first game of the afternoon. The Blue Devils and the Spartans will square off at 2 p.m. (EST).
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Players Mentioned
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