Early Deficit Dooms Duke in 4-2 Loss at Virginia

Friday, September 18

Charlottesville, Va.

6:00 PM

Duke University

Virginia

Early Deficit Dooms Duke in 4-2 Loss at Virginia

9/18/2015 7:53:00 PM | Field Hockey

By: Duke Sports Information

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The seventh-ranked Duke field hockey team was unable to slow a quick-striking Virginia attack, falling to the fourth-ranked Cavaliers by a 4-2 score Friday evening at Turf Field. The Blue Devils converted a pair of penalty corners but could not overcome a three-goal first half deficit, falling to 4-3 on the season and 0-2 in ACC action.

Sophomore Ashley Kristen placed a shot on goal 30 seconds into the contest, but it was Virginia (7-0, 2-0 ACC) who would get on the board first when Riley Tata finished on a cross in the fourth minute. The Cavaliers quickly added to that lead as Lucy Hyams weaved her way to the front of the cage just over three minutes later.

Virginia drew three penalty corners over the next 10 minutes and sent two shots into the cage, but had both called back because they were ruled too high. The home team remained on the offensive, though, and went up by a 3-0 score in the 21st minute on a fast break resulting in a Caleigh Foust goal.

Facing its largest deficit of the season, Duke turned a penalty corner opportunity into a score. Senior back Hannah Barreca fired into the back of the cage with classmates Aileen Johnson and Amanda Kim assisting. The tally was Barreca's first of the year. The Cavaliers responded right away however, as Tata recorded her second off a rebound to give Virginia a 4-1 advantage heading into the intermission.

The Blue Devils weathered a couple of Virginia penalty corners early in the second half before the Cavaliers were awarded a penalty stroke in the 47th minute. Hyams missed wide right on the shot, keeping the score at 4-1.

Duke converted on a penalty corner for the second time 10 minutes later, with Kristen redirecting a low drag by junior Heather Morris into the back of the cage. The Blue Devils generated a couple more opportunities in the waning minutes and placed shots on goal but could not ultimately battle back from the two-goal deficit.

Virginia totaled 14 shots on the night to 11 by the Blue Devils and held the advantage in penalty corners, 8-4.

Redshirt senior goalkeeper Lauren Blazing finished with six saves while sophomore back Alyssa Chillano was credited with a defensive save. Carrera Lucas and Rebecca Holden split time in the cage for the Cavaliers, posting two saves each.

Duke returns home to Durham Sunday to host No. 15 Old Dominion at 1 p.m. The contest will be streamed on Blue Devil Network Plus.

#GoDuke