Field Hockey Edged by No. 1 Syracuse in OT

Saturday, October 24

Durham, N.C.

1:00 PM

Duke University

Syracuse

Field Hockey Edged by No. 1 Syracuse in OT

10/24/2015 4:30:00 PM | Field Hockey

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – The fourth-ranked Blue Devils turned in one of their best defensive performances of the season, holding No. 1 Syracuse scoreless through regulation, but ultimately fell to the Orange by a 1-0 score in overtime Saturday afternoon. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Lauren Blazing led the defensive effort, posting 12 saves against 16 shots in the regular season home finale at Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium.

Duke dropped to 11-5 overall and closed its regular season ACC slate with a 2-4 record to receive the No. 5 seed in next month's ACC Championship in Charlottesville, Va. Head coach Pam Bustin's squad will begin tournament play Thursday, Nov. 5 in an 11 a.m. matchup with No. 5 seed Virginia (12-4, 3-3 ACC).

Syracuse remained unbeaten on the year with a 16-0 ledger and a 6-0 mark in conference play to earn the ACC regular season title and the tournament's top seed.

“For us it was a matter of the opportunity to play again, play at home and to bring one of our best games here,” Bustin said. “I think the team achieved that. Unfortunately, we fell short and there are things we have to continue to make sure we get better at for this to flip to the other side. And we will.”

After the Orange outshot the home team 8-0 in the first 35 minutes, the Blue Devils came out firing in the second half. Sophomore Alyssa Chillano sent a hard hit just wide of the cage on a Duke corner while the squad continued to neutralize Syracuse threats on the other end of the field. The Blue Devils logged three more shots inside the final five minutes but were unable to break the scoreless tie.

Duke had the early advantage in overtime, drawing two consecutive penalty corners just over three minutes in. Senior Amanda Kim created an opportunity at the post on the second corner play, but saw her shot get turned away by Syracuse back Roos Weers.

Both teams went a player down on a pair of yellow cards before Alma Fenne of the Orange drew Blazing out of the cage and sent in the game winner in the 79th minute.

“Our defense has been doing a really good job of stepping up, keeping the ball outside, intercepting,” Blazing said. “[Fenne] has a lot of skill. She played it well and kudos to her. But obviously a disappointing finish for us.”

Blazing made seven of her 12 saves in the opening period, and helped Duke become the first team this season to hold Syracuse without a goal through regulation. She also reached double digits in the saves column for the second consecutive game and third time on the fall.

The Orange totaled 16 shots to nine by the Blue Devils, who were shut out for the first time this year. Penalty corners were even for the contest at four apiece.

“We just need to compete, play our game, believe in our game and our game plan,” Bustin said. “We didn't do that today. We have to understand that this is the pace and the level of play and it has been. We've got to embrace it and we've got to expect it, and then we have to find a way to bring a little bit more to rise above it. And that's going to be what happens when we get back on the field next week.”

At the conclusion of the match, Duke honored the team's five seniors – Hannah Barreca, Blazing, Aileen Johnson, Kim and Sarah Urdahl – who have guided the program to a 48-30 record and great postseason success over the past four years.

“My experience here has been amazing,” Blazing said. “I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I've made some of the best friends in the entire world. I think we have the best coaching staff on the planet. We're at an amazing school. It's top of the line, so it's been amazing. It's not over yet.”

The Blue Devils wrap up regular season play next Saturday, Oct. 31 in a 1 p.m. contest at Liberty before making the trip to Charlottesville for the ACC Tournament.

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