Duke Outlasts Boston College in Overtime, 2-1

Friday, October 10

Durham, N.C.

6:00 PM

Duke University

Boston College

Duke Outlasts Boston College in Overtime, 2-1

10/10/2014 11:43:00 PM | Field Hockey

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – In a game that was suspended twice and took over four hours to complete, the ninth-ranked Blue Devils prevailed over No. 12 Boston College in overtime by a 2-1 score Friday evening in ACC action. Senior forward Jessica Buttinger notched the gamewinner in the 72nd minute as Duke moved to 9-3 on the season and 2-2 in conference play.

The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the Blue Devils, who turned in a solid defensive performance in allowing just one goal against 21 shots by the Eagles (8-5, 1-3 ACC).

“We've had some adversity that we had to take care of,” said head coach Pam Bustin. “We knew this was going to be a great fight. In our history with Boston College, it's always a tight game. They're a great team. With the delays and everything today, both teams came out and played great hockey. For our team and what they did tonight, I'm really proud of them.”

The two teams played at a high tempo from the opening whistle with Duke earning the first penalty corner opportunity just over four minutes in. The Eagles drew two set pieces of their own midway through the period but were kept off the board by redshirt junior goalkeeper Lauren Blazing and the Blue Devil defense on two shots.

Both sides traded corners again late in the half but the game remained scoreless until Boston College converted on a corner situation at the 5:36 mark to take a 1-0 lead. Emily McCoy scored on the hit for the Eagles with teammates Emma Plasteras and Katlyn Soucy assisting.

The Blue Devils responded less than three minutes later as junior forward Sarah Urdahl dribbled up to the baseline and passed the ball across to classmate Aileen Johnson who finished at the front of the cage. Johnson notched her third goal of the season on the play while Urdahl picked up her first assist of the year.

Blazing and the Duke defense weathered three Boston College penalty corners to start the second half. The Eagles' attack fired seven shots before play was halted due to lightning in the area with 27:00 remaining on the game clock.

When action resumed on the field, the two defenses – led by Blazing and Boston College goalkeeper Leah Settipane – remained busy against shots at both ends. Junior back Hannah Barreca made a critical defensive save and midway through the period the Blue Devils generated an opportunity in their attacking end as senior forward Martine Chichizola found Johnson inside. However, the ensuing shot went off the mark to keep the game locked at 1-1. With heavy rain beginning to fall, the contest was once again suspended due to lightning.

Over an hour passed before the teams returned to the field with 13:58 to go in regulation. Both teams had looks at the cage in the remaining minutes, with Duke's best chance coming on a run by freshman Ashley Kristen that was broken up by the Eagles' Settipane. The stalemate continued through the end of the half, sending the game to overtime.

Boston College opened the first overtime period down a player on a yellow card, and the Blue Devils capitalized in the 72nd minute when Buttinger tapped in a rebound to send Duke to the victory. Buttinger's tally was her team-leading seventh of the season and the seventh game-winning goal of her career.

For the game, the Eagles totaled 21 shots to 13, with 15 of their shots coming in the second period. Boston College also led in penalty corners, 10-3. Settipane registered seven saves in goal while Blazing had eight for Duke.

The Blue Devils continue their homestand Sunday when they host non-conference opponent Liberty at 1 p.m. at Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium. The game will be streamed live on Blue Devil Network Plus.

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