Miller Lifts Blue Devils to 2-1 OT Win at No. 7 Iowa

Sunday, September 15

Iowa City, Iowa

2:00 PM

Duke University

(6-0)

Iowa

(4-2)

Duke

Iowa

Hannah Miller

Photo by: Darren Miller

Miller Lifts Blue Devils to 2-1 OT Win at No. 7 Iowa

9/15/2019 4:17:00 PM | Field Hockey

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Field Hockey Earns Sixth Straight Win to Start Season

By: Duke Sports Information

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Playing in overtime for the second time on the season, the Blue Devils pushed their way past Iowa Sunday, 2-1, in a battle of top-10 teams at the Hawkeyes' Grant Field. Freshman forward Hannah Miller delivered both goals, including the game winner in the 75th minute, to help second-ranked Duke remain unbeaten on the season at 6-0.

Miller came through in the clutch twice, putting the Blue Devils ahead, 1-0, in the third quarter. She also put away the game-winning goal in a second overtime period while redshirt senior goalkeeper Sammi Steele contributed four saves that kept Iowa at bay.

"It was an incredible game," said head coach Pam Bustin. "It was a great battle. Both teams just went at it so hard … There's a grit and a belief that I'm just so proud of for them, that they have that. There are definitely things we can do to not get them in these tight positions … However, the opponents we are playing are awesome, so we've got to be prepared to grind it out the way we did today."

The teams played through a scoreless opening two periods, including a second quarter that saw Steele and Iowa goalkeeper Leslie Speight each record saves. Duke also generated two corner opportunities in the second quarter and one in the third before Miller broke through in the 42nd minute with an unassisted tally.

"Iowa came out with a great pressing plan on us and we didn't come ready and sharp to meet their energy on the press," Bustin said. "Iowa definitely controlled the tempo of the first half. At halftime we were able to regroup and figure out how to manage the press and start moving again. We were so static the first period. But once the midfield started exchanging and making some moves, it really opened up the game for us."

Duke looked to carry the momentum into the final quarter, but the Hawkeyes evened the score at the 48:33 mark on a penalty corner play. Blue Devil forward Leah Crouse placed a pair of shots on cage in the waning minutes in regulation that were turned away by Iowa's Speight, sending the contest to overtime.

Both teams threatened in the first overtime period but the defenses held strong, forcing a second overtime. Duke's defensive unit broke up a penalty corner attempt by the Hawkeyes in the 74th minute before Miller capitalized on her opportunity to claim the game for the Blue Devils.

Miller's season-best two tallies on the day put her at five for the season to lead all Blue Devils.

"For Hannah Miller to score against a great defensive team like Iowa says a lot," Bustin said. "She made the adjustments she had to and the team made some of the movements to help Hannah get that space she needed. It was really such a team effort to open things up, which was awesome."

Iowa held a slight edge in shots for the afternoon at 12-11, while Duke earned five corners to the Hawkeyes' three. The Blue Devils moved to 2-0 this season in overtime contests after also topping then-No. 15 Northwestern, 2-1, in double overtime last weekend at the B1G/ACC Cup.

Speight finished with seven saves for Iowa (4-2) in the loss.

The Blue Devils head back to Durham, where they will next face Ohio University Sunday, Sept. 22 at 12 p.m. on ACCNX.

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