No. 15 Duke Outlasts No. 3 Louisville in Senior Day Shootout, 4-3

Saturday, April 10

Durham, N.C.

1 p.m.

Duke University

Louisville

No. 15 Duke Outlasts No. 3 Louisville in Senior Day Shootout, 4-3

4/10/2021 6:04:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. – The 15th-ranked Duke field hockey team outlasted No. 3 Louisville, 4-3, in a shootout on Senior Day Saturday afternoon on Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium.

After ending regulation and two overtime periods deadlocked at 3-3, the Blue Devils (4-11, 2-3 ACC) recorded the thrilling 5-4 edge in the shootout to hand the Cardinals (12-5, 2-3) their fifth loss of the year. Duke's last shootout resulted in a 1-0 win at Louisville on Oct. 12, 2018.

Following five chances by both teams to begin the shootout, the score was tied at 4-4, which forced additional shots. Freshman Piper Hampsch caused two failed attempts and opened the door for a Blue Devil winner during the team's seventh opportunity. Sophomore Hannah Miller then secured the Blue Devils' fourth win of the season, spinning to her left and firing into the back of the cage.

"We had a lot of lessons in today's game and I'm really proud that our team trusted the process and kept playing the game," head coach Pam Bustin said. "As a team, the energy they shared from start to finish was what we've been working for all year. I'm so proud of the seniors for their leadership throughout the game and getting a win against a strong team like Louisville on senior day."

Duke, who was outshot 20-6, capitalized in key moments offensively, while its defense held off a tough Cardinals' offense. Hampsch racked up seven saves and the team added one more for a total of eight on the day.

Louisville took an early 1-0 lead in the first period on a goal by Alli Bitting in the 11th minute. After a scoreless second frame, junior Noor van de Laar knotted the game at 1-1 just 27 seconds into the second half, scoring off a deflection for her third goal of the year.

The two squads traded scoring opportunities with Louisville recording the go-ahead goal at 35:16, but Duke responded in the 44th minute when senior Libby Thompson registered her fifth career tally to once again tie things up at 2-2.

Graduate student Eva Nunnink then gave the Blue Devils a 3-2 lead in the 47th minute, slipping a shot past the goaltender off a penalty corner. Sophomores Mary Harkins and Miller both assisted on the play.

Unfortunately, the Cardinals answered six minutes later, forcing Duke into overtime for the sixth time during its 2020-21 campaign.

The Blue Devils defended a Louisville offense that registered eight of its 20 shots and three of its six corners in the two overtime periods.

Prior to the start of the game, Duke honored its four graduates in Lexi Davidson, Lily Posternak, Thompson and Nunnink on outstanding careers.

The Blue Devils travel to Chestnut Hill, Mass., on Saturday, April 17, for their final contest of the regular season against Boston College at 1 p.m.

#GoDuke