Blue Devils Blank No. 9 Louisville, 2-0

Friday, October 2

Durham, N.C.

6:00 PM

Duke University

Louisville

Blue Devils Blank No. 9 Louisville, 2-0

10/2/2015 9:03:00 PM | Field Hockey

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – The fifth-ranked Duke University field hockey team collected its first shutout of the season in a 2-0 victory over No. 9 Louisville Friday on a rain-soaked evening at Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium. The Blue Devils improved to 7-3 overall and 1-2 in ACC play with the win.

“We've been playing in this weather every morning and last weekend,” said head coach Pam Bustin. “We've become pretty accustomed to the rain. But I'm really proud of how they hung in there and how they were able to take care of the game and take care of the ball and keep it a nice-looking, well-played game.”

Junior midfielder Hunter Bracale broke open the scoring just over three minutes in, finishing at the post on a feed from classmate Heather Morris. The goal marked Bracale's fourth of the season.

“In hindsight, that was super important because it got a little bit more difficult to move the ball and get in there,” Bustin said. “Any time you have an opportunity to score, we'd better take advantage of it. Fortunately they did early and we were able to keep that momentum and keep that lead throughout the game.”

Duke's defense held the Cardinals without a shot until the 23rd minute, when Victoria Stratton sent in an offering that was denied by redshirt senior goalkeeper Lauren Blazing. Blazing made another key play later in the half, getting her toe on a Louisville ball fired in from outside the circle to cut off a scoring opportunity.

The Blue Devils would go into the locker room at the break still holding the 1-0 lead. The home team held a 5-3 advantage in shots during the first half while Louisville led in penalty corners, 3-1.

The rain picked up at the start of the second period, but both teams remained on the offensive. Duke was strong in transition, setting up Morris, who sent a ball inside for junior Robin Blazing to slide in. Blazing earned her fourth tally of the season while Morris picked up her second assist of the game.

Leading 2-0, Duke continued to press forward and broke inside the circle on two more occasions. The Cardinals had an opportunity of their own, drawing four corners inside the final five minutes, but sent two shots wide and had two blocked before the final whistle.

The Blue Devils wrapped up the match with an 11-7 lead in shots while Louisville's final push resulted in eight corners on the evening to three by Duke.

Lauren Blazing recorded three saves in the shutout and the Cardinals' Ayeisha McFerran made two stops at the other end.

Louisville was held scoreless for the second time on the season after suffering a 5-0 setback at North Carolina two weeks ago.

The Blue Devils return to Jack Katz Stadium Sunday for a 2 p.m. matchup with Longwood. The contest will be streamed on Blue Devil Network Plus.

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