Duke Upsets Undefeated Old Dominion 2-1 in Overtime

Sunday, October 16

Norfolk, Va.

1:00 PM

Duke University

Old Dominion

Duke Falls 3-2 to Wake Forest in Double Overtime

Duke Upsets Undefeated Old Dominion 2-1 in Overtime

10/16/2011 3:18:00 PM | Field Hockey

By: Duke Sports Information

NORFOLK, Va. - Tied 1-1 after 70 minutes of play, the seventh-ranked Duke field hockey team needed just 29 seconds in overtime to score the game-winning goal as the Blue Devils defeated No. 1 Old Dominion 2-1 Sunday afternoon from the Powhatan Sports Complex. Junior Mary Nielsen scored the gamewinner for the Blue Devils as Duke improved to 10-5 (2-2 ACC) on the year and handed ODU (15-1) its first loss of the season.

At the start of the overtime period, sophomore Emmie Le Marchand dribbled down the end line and fed the ball to Nielsen, who scored from three yards out to give Duke the win. Nielsen now has four goals on the season, while Le Marchand leads the team with six assists.

For the game, Old Dominion led in both total shots, 17-10, and penalty corners, 11-4, but Duke goalkeeper Samantha Nelson made eight saves to limit the ODU attack, which averaged 3.56 goals per game coming into today, to just one goal.

"We just kept fighting," said head coach Pam Bustin. "Our team defense was outstanding and really gave us some opportunities. Sammy Nelson was fantastic. We had some chances at the end of the second half, but we took that to overtime. We were really determined to attack in overtime, and to score a goal in 29 seconds, that's just sheer determination. Old Dominion is an extremely talented team and this is a great win for Duke field hockey."

Old Dominion took the 1-0 lead just over 17 minutes into the game. Emma Batten, the Monarch's leading scorer on the year, deflected in a penalty corner shot from Stephanie Kratzer to put ODU up 1-0.

The Lady Monarchs looked to take the one-goal advantage into the half, but Duke tied it up with under two minutes remaining in the period. Sophomore Caashia Karringten scored off a rebound in front of the cage, registering the third goal of her career and first this season.

The two teams fought through a scoreless second half with Old Dominion leading in shots 9-4, but Duke needed only one opportunity in overtime to come away with the win.

Today's game was also the second meeting between the two teams this season, as Old Dominion escaped Durham with a 3-2 double overtime victory on Sept. 18. The Blue Devils and the Lady Monarchs have played in three straight overtime contests over the past two seasons.

Duke will return to Williams Field next weekend for the Blue Devils final home game of the season on Sunday, Oct. 23. Duke faces Central Michigan at 1 p.m., next Sunday and closes out the regular season at Virginia on Oct. 29.

-d-u-k-e-