Syracuse Edges Duke, 2-1, in Double Overtime

Friday, September 27

Durham, N.C.

5:00 PM

Duke University

(7-1 (0-1ACC))

Syracuse

(7-2 (1-1ACC))

Syracuse

Duke

Margaux Paolino

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Syracuse Edges Duke, 2-1, in Double Overtime

9/27/2019 7:55:00 PM | Field Hockey

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Blue Devils Fall in ACC Opener

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – A grueling double overtime contest in Friday's ACC opener saw the second-ranked Blue Devils fall, 2-1, to 19th-ranked Syracuse at Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium.

After starting the fall 7-0, Duke surrendered its first loss of the season to drop to 7-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

"What we learned is that we've got to take care of our opportunities when they come up and when we create them," said head coach Pam Bustin. "We created so many awesome opportunities throughout that first half and even in the second half. Our execution was really off tonight and I'm surprised because it's been really good. That and I just think we're in the ACC and everybody's fighting really hard to win. I think we knew that and credit to Syracuse for hanging in there. But we created it, we allowed it. It's unfortunate that's the result tonight. However, feeling the sting of it now when we're in the driver's seat is something that we're going to turn into a positive."

The Blue Devils were on the offensive from the opening whistle, registering three penalty corners and four shots in the first minute and a half. Senior Haley Schleicher scored the first goal of the contest in the 14th minute, taking advantage of a stroke awarded to Duke. Schleicher collected her third tally of the season and improved to 2-2 this fall and 5-5 for her career in penalty stroke opportunities.

Following a scoreless second quarter, the Blue Devils headed into the locker room at halftime with a 1-0 lead and a 9-1 advantage in shots.

Both teams generated chances inside the circle during the third quarter, with redshirt senior goalkeeper Sammi Steele and the Duke back line continuing to keep the Orange off the board.

The Blue Devils launched a series of shots at Syracuse goalkeeper Sarah Sinck around the 50-minute mark, but it was the Orange who would break through next, evening the match on a penalty corner play at the 53:35 mark. Duke garnered one final corner opportunity with just seconds remaining in regulation, but the match was sent to overtime.

Steele made a key stop with 50 seconds remaining in the first overtime period and the contest stretched into a second overtime frame. Syracuse's Charlotte de Vries punched through the game winner in the 78th minute to give the Orange the victory.

"I just can't credit our upperclassmen enough for their leadership and their grit," Bustin said. "They hung in there and they're fighting hard. They're the ones who are setting the bar. Our freshman class, our sophomore class, they are meeting it. They are rising and they're learning every game … Hopefully that's going to make us better as the season goes on."

Steele wrapped up the contest with three saves and Syracuse's Sinck with eight. Freshman forward Hannah Miller led all Blue Devils with six shots as Duke outshot the Orange by a 28-11 margin.

Duke is back at Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium Sunday to face another ranked opponent in No. 15 Stanford. The 1 p.m. contest will be broadcast on ACCNX.

#GoDuke