Field Hockey Topples No. 3 Maryland in Overtime, 2-1

Sunday, September 6

Lancaster, Pa.

3:00 PM

Duke University

Maryland

Field Hockey Topples No. 3 Maryland in Overtime, 2-1

9/6/2015 5:31:00 PM | Field Hockey

By: Duke Sports Information

LANCASTER, Pa. – The Blue Devils wrapped up the inaugural B1G/ACC Cup in thrilling fashion Sunday afternoon, toppling third-ranked Maryland in overtime, 2-1. Duke received a game-winning goal from freshman Morgan Bitting in the 79th minute to conclude the weekend with a 2-0 slate against a pair of nationally-ranked opponents.

Duke's defensive unit shut out the Terrapins for all but one second in regulation, when Maryland was able to knock in an equalizer that stood after a discussion by the officials. Head coach Pam Bustin's squad regained composure in overtime and put away the contest just over nine minutes later to improve to 3-1 on the season.

“We played the overtime with a lot of patience and a lot of calculation, and then took advantage of the opportunity at the end when we had it,” Bustin said. “Credit to Maryland. It was a great game, challenged on both ends. For us to come out with a win today is big.”

The defense weathered three first-half Maryland penalty corners and kept its slate clean when senior back Hannah Barreca stepped in for a defensive save in the 14th minute. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Lauren Blazing had two stops before Jill Genovese turned in three for the Terrapins on a pair of Duke corners later in the period.

Despite several good runs by both sides, the match remained scoreless at the half. Shots were even at nine apiece in the first 35 minutes, as were corners at four-all.

The Blue Devils' forward line worked to generate an opportunity in front of the cage just five minutes into the second period, and senior midfielder Aileen Johnson capitalized for the second time in as many contests. Johnson also broke a scoreless tie Friday evening in an eventual 2-1 victory over No. 10 Northwestern.

Blazing then defused a similar situation in front of the Duke cage and sophomores Alyssa Chillano and Stephanie Pezzuti both came up with key defensive saves a while later to maintain the 1-0 advantage. Maryland continued to challenge the Blue Devil defense in the latter part of the period, pressing forward to look for the equalizer. Duke locked down in response and appeared to run out the clock, but a last second effort sent in by the Terrapins' Emma Rissinger was ruled to have crossed the goal line before the end of regulation.

“Regardless of the possibility that the game was tied in the final second, our kids were pretty angry at themselves,” Bustin said. “Rather than the disappointment that Maryland scored, it's more being upset that we let a second down. For us, having the chance to come back out, the energy was all about us and getting better. That's what fueled them in the overtime.”

Playing in their second overtime contest of the season, the Blue Devils' patience paid off as the squad earned a penalty corner nine minutes in. Barreca played a ball to Bitting, who put in the gamewinner at the back post. The tally was the first of Bitting's collegiate career.

“Our captains did an awesome job – Aileen Johnson, Amanda Kim and Lauren Blazing,” Bustin said. “I heard them keeping the team focused, knowing either way, we were going to win this game – either the umpires are going to say game over, we won, or we're going to have to go back out in the field and win it again. I'm extremely proud of the leadership today for the whole game and especially in that moment.”

Maryland held the edge in shots, 17-14, and corners, 8-7, for the day. Blazing totaled seven saves through 79 minutes of action while Genovese finished with six for the Terrapins in the loss.

After coming away from the weekend with wins over two nationally-ranked Big Ten foes, the Blue Devils will open ACC play Friday, Sept. 11 at home against Wake Forest. The contest is slated for 6 p.m. at Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium and will be streamed live on Blue Devil Network Plus.

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