Late Goal Lifts Field Hockey Over Boston U., 2-1

Sunday, October 2

Durham, N.C.

1:00 PM

Duke University

Boston University

Late Goal Lifts Field Hockey Over Boston U., 2-1

10/2/2016 3:49:00 PM | Field Hockey

FH vs. BU: Morris Tallies Game Winner Pam Bustin Postgame INT: Duke 2, BU 1 FH vs. BU: Paolino Scores First Collegiate Goal Heather Morris Postgame INT: Duke 2, BU 1 Photos: Duke 2, Boston U. 1 Season Statistics Box Score

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – With the match tied at 1-1 for over 40 minutes, the third-ranked Blue Devils came through in the 69th minute to top No. 13 Boston University Sunday by a 2-1 score. Duke climbed into double digits in the win column, moving its season mark to 10-1.

The Blue Devils totaled a season-high 27 shots and 15 penalty corners but struggled on efficiency, placing just 12 looks on cage. However, the squad remained aggressive on the attacking end throughout and senior forward Heather Morris fired top shelf on a corner opportunity at the 68:36 mark to put Duke ahead for good.

“I'm really proud of the tenacity of the team,” said head coach Pam Bustin. “There were moments when you can get frustrated or you can panic a little bit, but we just continued to put the pressure on. We were rushed to do it – credit to Boston University's defense. They were all over us. So it kind of rushed our attack. I think there were times we could have moved the ball a bit better so we weren't so rushed. But we were able to continue to put the pressure on and earn some corners – a lot of corners – and finally execute for the win.”

Both teams generated chances inside the circle early in the contest, but BU took the lead on a penalty corner in the 19th minute. The Blue Devils wasted little time in making up the difference, responding to the Hester van der Laan goal with a Margaux Paolino tally on a corner play. Paolino found an opening at the back post off Alyssa Chillano's corner shot for her first goal in a Duke uniform.

The Terriers had a dangerous opportunity on a breakaway toward the end of the period, but redshirt freshman goalkeeper Sammi Steele came charging out of the cage to make the stop, and the 1-1 score would hold through halftime.

“We were really pleased with our defensive effort and the strength of the unit in our defense on Friday,” Bustin said. “We just wanted to continue to build on that and have some continuity from Friday to today. There were moments where we really did have that. I thought the front line to the midfield line really put some good pressure on the outletting of Boston University.”

The second period began with a flurry of Duke corners, but the squad was unable to get past BU goalkeeper Cammy Jensen and the Terrier defense. The Blue Devils continued to bring pressure, as sophomore Rose Tynan missed just wide on a pair of hard strikes.

Bolstered by a strong defensive presence, Duke pushed forward and earned a final corner opportunity around the two-minute mark. Junior Stephanie Pezzuti pushed out the ball to senior Robin Blazing, who played it over to Morris on the left side of the circle. Morris put away her team-leading 11th goal of the season to give the Blue Devils the lead with 1:24 remaining.

Duke's defense helped run out the clock as the squad collected its seventh victory over a top-20 opponent. The Blue Devils also defeated No. 15 Boston College Friday evening, 6-2.

Following the weekend home stand, Duke hits the road for matches at Syracuse Friday, Oct. 7 and at Princeton Sunday, Oct. 9.

--- NOTES ---

- Duke improved to 11-7 all-time against Boston University. Seven of the last eight contests in the series have now been decided by one goal.

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