Fast Start Lifts Duke Past Mercer, 19-9

Monday, February 29

Durham, N.C.

7:00 PM

Duke University

4-1

Mercer

2-2

Mercer

Duke University

Fast Start Lifts Duke Past Mercer, 19-9

2/29/2016 10:06:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score MLAX vs. Mercer: Deemer Class Four Goals MLAX vs. Mercer: Guterding Ride Leads to Bruckner Goal MLAX vs. Mercer: Teddy Henderson 1st Career Goal MLAX vs. Mercer: Guterding Three Goals MLAX vs. Mercer: Duke Scores 5 Goals in 1st 5 Minutes MLAX vs. Mercer: John Danowski Postgame Interview Box Score: Duke 19, Mercer 9 Season Statistics Box Score: Duke 19, Mercer 9

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C.—Duke sophomore attackman Justin Guterding recorded a game-high six points and junior Teddy Henderson won 15-of-20 faceoffs as the No. 3 Blue Devils rolled past Mercer 19-9 in men's lacrosse action tonight at Koskinen Stadium.

Senior Case Matheis chipped in five points, while Deemer Class and Jack Bruckner both have four tallies apiece. Class is one goal shy of becoming the second Duke midfielder in program history to record 100 career goals.

Duke (4-1) was firing on all cylinders early, racing out to a 4-0 lead in the first 4:03. Four different players scored, including sophomore Jake Seau getting his first of the year. After Mercer stopped the run on a Chris Baxa goal at 10:09 of the first period, Bruckner and Guterding combined on consecutive goals to jumpstart another 4-0 run that put the Blue Devils in front 8-1 after 15 minutes.

Baxa finished with three goals and Lucas Wittenberg added a goal and game-high five assists.

The Blue Devils scored eight goals, six of which were assisted, on just 12 shots in that first quarter and held Mercer (2-2) to just five while forcing nine turnovers. The Bears struggled clearing the ball against Duke's ride, successful on just 2-of-6 attempts.

The second quarter was much of the same for the Blue Devils as they didn't miss a beat in scoring four more goals in the first 2:44 of the stanza for a 12-1 lead. Chad Cohan put his name on the scoring chart as did Peter Welch for the second consecutive game.

Much like the first quarter, Duke shot .500 again with four goals on just eight shots for a 12-2 halftime lead. Defensively, the Blue Devils held the Bears to 13 first-half shots, while forcing 12 turnovers.

Arguably the biggest cheer of the night from the Duke sideline came 10 seconds into the third period as Henderson won the opening faceoff and raced down the field to score his first career goal. The Blue Devils extended their lead to 18-4 before Mercer rallied to score five unanswered. Myles Jones, finishing with two goals and two assists, capped Duke's scoring late in the fourth for the 19-9 victory.

Henderson picked up six ground balls to go with his 15 faceoff wins, while Jamie Ikeda had four. Danny Fowler finished with five saves in nearly 38 minutes of action.

Mike Nugent had six saves in the loss for the Bears.

Duke is back in action on the road again this weekend against No. 12 Harvard at Hofstra. Faceoff is set for 3 p.m., in Hempstead, N.Y. The game will be broadcast by Lax Sports Network.

#GoDuke