Completed Event: Women's Lacrosse at #4 Florida on May 15, 2025 , Loss , 9, to, 11
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Final
Women's Lacrosse
9
at #4 Florida
11
Flashback: Duke Goes to Four-Straight Final Fours
5/15/2020 2:40:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
In what would be the 2020 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Tournament, GoDuke.com chose to take this opportunity to highlight Duke's seven Final Four teams – 1999, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2015.
After reaching her first final four a couple years before, Duke women's lacrosse head coach Kerstin Kimel led the Blue Devils to four consecutive Final Fours from 2005-08. Let's take a look back at each of those contests:
2005 NCAA Quarterfinal – May 15, 2005
No. 2 Duke 15, No. 11 North Carolina 7 – Durham, N.C.
The Blue Devils topped North Carolina to reach their second Final Four in program history. Rachel Sanford and Katie Chrest led the Blue Devils offensively. Sanford scored four goals while Chrest tallied seven points on three goals and four assists. Duke goalie Megan Huether excelled between the pipes with 11 saves on 23 North Carolina shots.
"I remember the intensity of that game," Allie Johnson said. "We had a great senior squad leading us that year. There were four of them and they did an exceptional job of building team unity. Although I did not get much playing time that year, it is actually one of my favorite years because they led so well you didn't really remember if you were playing or not, you just knew you were part of the team. Everyone from the bench players to the injured players to the starters, there was a tremendous amount of unity."
2006 NCAA Quarterfinal – May 20, 2006
No. 3 Duke 16, No. 13 James Madison 6 – Durham, N.C.
The Blue Devils topped James Madison to reach its second straight NCAA Final Four and third in school history. Duke improved to 18-2 on the year and set school records for wins in a season (18) and wins over a ranked opponent (11). Caroline Cryer continued her stellar season with a six-point showing on four goals and two assists in addition to four ground balls. Sanford and Leigh Jester each added three as well. Huether performed well with nine saves and only four goals allowed.
2007 NCAA Quarterfinal – May 19, 2007
No. 6 Duke 12, No. 8 Johns Hopkins 7 – Durham, N.C.
Duke reached its third straight Final Four after beating Johns Hopkins in Durham. Cryer led the Duke offense once again with three goals while Kim Imbesi anchored the Duke defense with seven saves. In addition, Kristen Waagbo, Jester and Sanford combined for six goals and three assists.
"I think back to that season and it was just so fun," said Cryer, who set the Duke record at the time for goals in a single season with 71. "That was the main word that comes to mind – fun. We had so much talent all around that made me able to have that kind of success and our team to have that kind of success. We just had such a supporting cast… everyone playing their role and the depth we had at each role just made it so much fun. We were strong on all fronts."
2008 NCAA Quarterfinal – May 17, 2008
No. 12 Duke 9, No. 11 Maryland 7 – College Park, Md.
The Blue Devils reached their fourth consecutive Final Four after upsetting the Terrapins on their home field. Imbesi led the Blue Devils with a superb 13-save performance while Johnson and Aiyana Newton helped keep Tewaaraton Trophy finalists Dana Dobbie and Kelly Kasper, respectively, at bay. Duke's offense put together a balanced effort, filling the scoresheet with seven unique scorers.
"I was supposed to defend one of their best players, ACC Player of the Year Dana Dobie," Johnson said. "When I was in, I kept her to no goals, which was a big deal. They were touted to win everything. We had not had the best season compared to the last three years – our record was not as good. We had the potential to be discouraged and we were certainly underestimated. So, to take Maryland down on their home field, I can remember the moments in that game. I don't remember a lot of moments, but I remember a lot from that game. It was one of those games that every single possession counted. It was high energy and adrenaline the whole time."
"I had broken my foot that season and it was a little bit more than an up and down season," Cryer said. "I just remember our senior class with the will to win and banding together. It was like no one was going to break us. Our class was so strong in that way, just wanting to set the tone and carry the tradition forward even though we had more losses that season. There was no other option than to go to the Final Four. Everyone found the will to win and make it happen and beat Maryland that year, although it was deemed as a tall task."
The 2008 Duke class is the only group to reach four consecutive Final Fours in school history. While it is an incredible accomplishment looking back, in the moment it left something to be desired.
"At the time, it did kind of feel like a sting because you were so close to what you wanted in a national championship," Johnson said. "But, I have found over time that you look back and say, 'Oh my gosh, we went to four Final Fours.' I don't know if I valued it in my younger age as much as I do now and probably because there has yet to be a team to do that. When you get older your perspective grows and you realize how few people are competing at that level continually."
Each individual game was special to accomplish the feat, but the overall experience as a whole and journeys to get them to that point will be etched in the memories of the Blue Devil alumnae forever.
"It's pretty incredible to be a part of that run and know nothing else during that run," Cryer said. "What was cool about it was that it did happen our freshman year, so that was the expectation for us moving forward. This was how Duke lacrosse does it. That was the level we set for ourselves and the expectations that we won't settle for anything else. It made a big difference to only know that and for that to be the impression while starting our careers there."
"Overall, it [reaching four consecutive Final Fours] felt amazing," Johnson said. "It is the one thing, other than having my kids, that I am most proud of. That we were able to do that. I think the memories have gotten sweeter. In the moment it was easy to feel that it was a disappointment because we were so close."
Although classes and personnel change, one thing was consistent throughout the entirety of Duke lacrosse and the run that this particular class put together – Kerstin Kimel.
"Kerstin was our fearless leader," Cryer said. "As I look back at my time at Duke, the level of excellence she set and expectations… she instilled a work ethic and level of preparation that I don't know if everyone does. Really reflecting on it post-lacrosse, you realize how prepared you are for the real world after Duke Lacrosse. Just the foundation Kerstin sets. She leads you for life. She does that via lacrosse and the tools she puts in your bucket along the way. This is how you consistently prepare. This is how you be relentless. This is how you don't back down. There was no fear. Just her setting the tone, set the tone for us during the run as well."
"She led with that tenacity. Kerstin knows what she believes in and wont back down from that. As developing young females to see such a strong leader knowing what she believes in and standing up for it, whatever the scenario, set an incredible example for us."
"Kerstin is an amazing recruiter," Johnson said. "Thanks to her, I got to play with my teammates that I just absolutely love. She has a great eye for character. My teammates are still some of my closest friends. Even if we are not in touch, we can still pick up right where we left off. I don't think a lot of teams have that. I think that is pretty rare because once your commonality is gone, a lot of times those relations subside. But, with us, she really did recruit women of character and the type of people you want to be around."
"She is a great mom, on the field and off the field. She does a great job taking on that role in all the best ways. In the way that she is holding you to the highest standard and chewing you out when she needs to be. But, she is also the first one to take you under her wing when you need a pick-me-up or a little encouragement. She is fearless leader, and I really enjoyed playing for her."
#GoDuke
After reaching her first final four a couple years before, Duke women's lacrosse head coach Kerstin Kimel led the Blue Devils to four consecutive Final Fours from 2005-08. Let's take a look back at each of those contests:
2005 NCAA Quarterfinal – May 15, 2005
No. 2 Duke 15, No. 11 North Carolina 7 – Durham, N.C.
The Blue Devils topped North Carolina to reach their second Final Four in program history. Rachel Sanford and Katie Chrest led the Blue Devils offensively. Sanford scored four goals while Chrest tallied seven points on three goals and four assists. Duke goalie Megan Huether excelled between the pipes with 11 saves on 23 North Carolina shots.
"I remember the intensity of that game," Allie Johnson said. "We had a great senior squad leading us that year. There were four of them and they did an exceptional job of building team unity. Although I did not get much playing time that year, it is actually one of my favorite years because they led so well you didn't really remember if you were playing or not, you just knew you were part of the team. Everyone from the bench players to the injured players to the starters, there was a tremendous amount of unity."
2006 NCAA Quarterfinal – May 20, 2006
No. 3 Duke 16, No. 13 James Madison 6 – Durham, N.C.
The Blue Devils topped James Madison to reach its second straight NCAA Final Four and third in school history. Duke improved to 18-2 on the year and set school records for wins in a season (18) and wins over a ranked opponent (11). Caroline Cryer continued her stellar season with a six-point showing on four goals and two assists in addition to four ground balls. Sanford and Leigh Jester each added three as well. Huether performed well with nine saves and only four goals allowed.
2007 NCAA Quarterfinal – May 19, 2007
No. 6 Duke 12, No. 8 Johns Hopkins 7 – Durham, N.C.
Duke reached its third straight Final Four after beating Johns Hopkins in Durham. Cryer led the Duke offense once again with three goals while Kim Imbesi anchored the Duke defense with seven saves. In addition, Kristen Waagbo, Jester and Sanford combined for six goals and three assists.
"I think back to that season and it was just so fun," said Cryer, who set the Duke record at the time for goals in a single season with 71. "That was the main word that comes to mind – fun. We had so much talent all around that made me able to have that kind of success and our team to have that kind of success. We just had such a supporting cast… everyone playing their role and the depth we had at each role just made it so much fun. We were strong on all fronts."
2008 NCAA Quarterfinal – May 17, 2008
No. 12 Duke 9, No. 11 Maryland 7 – College Park, Md.
The Blue Devils reached their fourth consecutive Final Four after upsetting the Terrapins on their home field. Imbesi led the Blue Devils with a superb 13-save performance while Johnson and Aiyana Newton helped keep Tewaaraton Trophy finalists Dana Dobbie and Kelly Kasper, respectively, at bay. Duke's offense put together a balanced effort, filling the scoresheet with seven unique scorers.
"I was supposed to defend one of their best players, ACC Player of the Year Dana Dobie," Johnson said. "When I was in, I kept her to no goals, which was a big deal. They were touted to win everything. We had not had the best season compared to the last three years – our record was not as good. We had the potential to be discouraged and we were certainly underestimated. So, to take Maryland down on their home field, I can remember the moments in that game. I don't remember a lot of moments, but I remember a lot from that game. It was one of those games that every single possession counted. It was high energy and adrenaline the whole time."
"I had broken my foot that season and it was a little bit more than an up and down season," Cryer said. "I just remember our senior class with the will to win and banding together. It was like no one was going to break us. Our class was so strong in that way, just wanting to set the tone and carry the tradition forward even though we had more losses that season. There was no other option than to go to the Final Four. Everyone found the will to win and make it happen and beat Maryland that year, although it was deemed as a tall task."
The 2008 Duke class is the only group to reach four consecutive Final Fours in school history. While it is an incredible accomplishment looking back, in the moment it left something to be desired.
"At the time, it did kind of feel like a sting because you were so close to what you wanted in a national championship," Johnson said. "But, I have found over time that you look back and say, 'Oh my gosh, we went to four Final Fours.' I don't know if I valued it in my younger age as much as I do now and probably because there has yet to be a team to do that. When you get older your perspective grows and you realize how few people are competing at that level continually."
Each individual game was special to accomplish the feat, but the overall experience as a whole and journeys to get them to that point will be etched in the memories of the Blue Devil alumnae forever.
"It's pretty incredible to be a part of that run and know nothing else during that run," Cryer said. "What was cool about it was that it did happen our freshman year, so that was the expectation for us moving forward. This was how Duke lacrosse does it. That was the level we set for ourselves and the expectations that we won't settle for anything else. It made a big difference to only know that and for that to be the impression while starting our careers there."
"Overall, it [reaching four consecutive Final Fours] felt amazing," Johnson said. "It is the one thing, other than having my kids, that I am most proud of. That we were able to do that. I think the memories have gotten sweeter. In the moment it was easy to feel that it was a disappointment because we were so close."
Although classes and personnel change, one thing was consistent throughout the entirety of Duke lacrosse and the run that this particular class put together – Kerstin Kimel.
"Kerstin was our fearless leader," Cryer said. "As I look back at my time at Duke, the level of excellence she set and expectations… she instilled a work ethic and level of preparation that I don't know if everyone does. Really reflecting on it post-lacrosse, you realize how prepared you are for the real world after Duke Lacrosse. Just the foundation Kerstin sets. She leads you for life. She does that via lacrosse and the tools she puts in your bucket along the way. This is how you consistently prepare. This is how you be relentless. This is how you don't back down. There was no fear. Just her setting the tone, set the tone for us during the run as well."
"She led with that tenacity. Kerstin knows what she believes in and wont back down from that. As developing young females to see such a strong leader knowing what she believes in and standing up for it, whatever the scenario, set an incredible example for us."
"Kerstin is an amazing recruiter," Johnson said. "Thanks to her, I got to play with my teammates that I just absolutely love. She has a great eye for character. My teammates are still some of my closest friends. Even if we are not in touch, we can still pick up right where we left off. I don't think a lot of teams have that. I think that is pretty rare because once your commonality is gone, a lot of times those relations subside. But, with us, she really did recruit women of character and the type of people you want to be around."
"She is a great mom, on the field and off the field. She does a great job taking on that role in all the best ways. In the way that she is holding you to the highest standard and chewing you out when she needs to be. But, she is also the first one to take you under her wing when you need a pick-me-up or a little encouragement. She is fearless leader, and I really enjoyed playing for her."
#GoDuke
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