Duke Shuts Out Spiders in Regular Season Finale

Saturday, November 1

Richmond, Va.

5:00 PM

Duke University

Richmond

Late Goals Lift Blue Devils Over Northwestern, 2-1

Duke Shuts Out Spiders in Regular Season Finale

11/1/2014 7:46:00 PM | Field Hockey

By: Duke Sports Information

RICHMOND, Va. – The sixth-ranked Duke field hockey team wrapped up regular season play on a strong note, topping Richmond by a 2-0 score on a cool Saturday evening at the Spiders' Crenshaw Field. The Blue Devils collected their sixth shutout of the season and improved to 12-5 on the fall with the win.

Junior midfielder Aileen Johnson notched the game's first goal on a penalty stroke and freshman Alyssa Chillano knocked in a hit on a penalty corner for her first score in a Blue Devil uniform.

“Today there was excitement to get out there and play a strong team and a dangerous team like Richmond on their home field,” said head coach Pam Bustin. “I thought the mental toughness of coming out knowing what they wanted to achieve tonight and staying on task to get it done was awesome.”

The Spiders held the ball for the majority of the opening 10 minutes, testing the Duke defense in the early going. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Lauren Blazing made a diving stick save on Richmond's first look at the cage to keep the game scoreless.

The Blue Devils penetrated the attack circle for the first time midway through the period and continued to increase their activity in the front third. After a couple of close chances at the front of the cage, Duke was awarded the penalty stroke and Johnson lifted it over Richmond goalkeeper Kelley Wentling for a 1-0 advantage at the 29:10 mark. The goal marked Johnson's sixth of the season and third successful stroke, and proved to be the difference at the half.

“It was a midfield game and I thought we did a pretty good job of controlling the midfield,” Bustin said. “Richmond did a good job stopping it right at the 25, but we were efficient and that's what you've got to be. I think when we did break through, we created some super opportunities, even more than the scoreboard says. That's the thing you've got to do and that's the game you've got to capitalize on, and I'm really proud we did today.”

Duke drew the first penalty corner of the contest in the 50th minute, but saw junior Hannah Barreca's offering get turned away by Wentling of the Spiders. The Blue Devils capitalized just two possessions later, with Chillano scoring on a set piece. The tally marked the first of Chillano's career, while Johnson and senior forward Jessica Buttinger picked up assists on the play.

Play went back and forth in the midfield over the next several possessions and Richmond pulled Wentling from the cage around the 10 minute mark. The Spiders went on to earn a pair of penalty corner opportunities but had one shot blocked by Duke and the other sent wide of the cage.

Neither side relented in the closing minutes, with sophomore Hunter Bracale sending a shot off the post with less than four to play. The Blue Devils held tough to see through the 2-0 victory.

For the game, Duke had a 6-4 margin in shots and held a 3-2 edge in penalty corners. Blazing registered two saves while Wentling totaled three for Richmond.

“This is exactly why it was fun to have a non-conference game right before we get into the conference tournament,” Bustin said. “We wanted to work out some things that, for some reason, were missing a week ago. I think we were able to do that and I think it puts our team back on track, feeling good about how our game is building as we get into the tournament on Thursday.”

Up next, Duke hosts the 2014 ACC Field Hockey Championship Nov. 6, 7 and 9 at Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium. The Blue Devils received the tournament's No. 7 seed and will face second-seeded North Carolina Thursday, Nov. 6 at 1:30 p.m. in the quarterfinals. All ACC Championship contests will be broadcast on ESPN3.

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