No. 3 Maryland Slips Past No. 8 Duke 2-1

Saturday, October 8

Durham, N.C.

1:00 PM

Duke University

Maryland

No. 3 Maryland Slips Past No. 8 Duke 2-1

10/8/2011 3:42:00 PM | Field Hockey

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. - Freshman Martine Chichizola scored her first career goal and the Blue Devils outshot reigning national champion and No. 3 Maryland 15-9, but the Terrapins scored two goals off of penalty corners to slip past eighth-ranked Duke 2-1 Saturday afternoon from Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium.

Chichizola tied the game at one-all in the 48^th minute, with assists credited to senior Tara Jennings and sophomore Caashia Karringten; however Maryland's Jemma Buckley scored two penalty corner goals to lift the Terps to the win.

"We're disappointed in the result because we played a great game," said head coach Pam Bustin. "I'm really proud of our team for going out there and competing the way they did and actually at times dominating the tempo of the match and control of the match. Obviously Maryland has a fantastic team; they're defending national champions with a lot of experience, and our kids matched it. We went above it."

Duke came out strong at the beginning of the game, dictating tempo and controlling possession. Duke outshot Maryland 5-4 in the opening period, but it would be the Terps who struck first. Maryland earned a corner opportunity in the 19^th minute, and Buckley connected on the shot from six yards out with an assist from Harriet Tibble.

Trailing 1-0 at half, Duke continued to battle in the second stanza and the effort paid off midway through the period. Jennings dribbled through the defense to set up the play from the midfield and the senior from Macungie, Pa., found Karringten on the right side of the cage. The Maryland defender shifted over to cover Karringten, and she then passed to an open Chichizola on the left side.

With the goal, the momentum shifted to Duke's favor. Yet Maryland came up with the answer as Buckley again connected on a penalty corner shot for the one-goal lead.

Duke controlled the tempo throughout the contest, also earning 10 penalty corners to six by the Terps, but the Blue Devils could not convert on their opportunities to tie the score.

"We have to lock into finishing our opportunities, especially our penalty corners," said Bustin. "We're getting closer. We just have to have a lot of faith in our preparation when it comes to corners."

Duke's defense was able to slow a potent Maryland attack, limiting the Terps, who average 18.5 shots per game and over four goals a contest, to nine shots and two goals. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Samantha Nelson made three saves in the contest, while her Maryland counterpart, Melissa Vassalotti posted seven saves.

"We were pleased with our performance," added senior Rhian Jones. "It was definitely a step forward. It's just a matter of getting the results now."

Duke will host James Madison Sunday, Oct. 9 in the second game of the weekend. The Blue Devils and JMU open play at 1 p.m. from Williams Field.

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