No. 10 Duke Suffers 7-6 Setback to Elon

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Thursday, February 25

Durham, N.C.

4:00 PM

Duke University

Elon

Duryea Tabbed Player of the Week by Inside Lacrosse

No. 10 Duke Suffers 7-6 Setback to Elon

2/25/2016 7:16:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Duryea Posts 7 Saves Against Elon Photo Gallery Season Statistics Box Score

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – The 10th-ranked Blue Devils turned in a solid defensive effort but struggled to find a spark offensively for the second-straight contest, resulting in a 7-6 loss to Elon Thursday at Koskinen Stadium. Duke dropped to 2-3 on the season with the decision.

Senior goalkeeper Kelsey Duryea recorded seven saves while senior attacker Kelci Smesko notched a team-high two goals.

Duke corralled the first two draws and scored on both opportunities for an early 2-0 advantage. Freshman Olivia Jenner finished on a Grace Fallon pass first and Smesko followed with a second tally. The Phoenix were able to even the match before the Blue Devils rattled off three unanswered goals to go up by a 5-2 margin.

Elon controlled possession in the waning minutes of the opening period, with Stephanie Asher netting her second and Kelsey Dupere adding a marker just before time expired in the half. That made it a 5-4 game at the intermission.

Turnovers kept the Blue Devils from generating rhythm on the offensive end, as the squad went over 30 minutes without breaking through for a score. Despite a solid effort by Duke's defense and Duryea for the first 15 minutes of the period, the Phoenix found the back of the net again to tie things up at 5-all.

Sophomore Kyra Harney finally responded for the Blue Devils, trying to ignite the attack with an unassisted tally at the 11:44 mark. However, Elon forced the third tie of the contest a minute later on Maeve Cowley's second goal. The Phoenix won the ensuing draw and kept Duke from getting a good look at the cage. Shelby Scanlin of Elon notched what would be the game-winner with six seconds remaining, and Duke was unable to make a play on goal before time expired.

Elon goalkeeper Rachel Ramirez totaled seven saves for the contest. The Blue Devils held a narrow 20-18 advantage in shots, but placed just 13 of the looks on goal. Draw controls were even at 7-all.

Asher and Scanlin tallied two scores each to pace the Phoenix offensively and Sloane Kessler registered two assists.

The Blue Devils remain at home through the weekend, hosting No. 13 Penn Sunday in Koskinen Stadium. The contest, which has been moved up to a 12 p.m. start, will be broadcast on Blue Devil Network Plus.

#GoDuke