McVeigh Leads Duke Past Wake Forest in ACC Quarterfinal

Tuesday, November 5

Winston-Salem, NC

3:30 p.m.

Duke University

(12-5)

Wake Forest

(7-11)

Duke

Wake Forest

Photo by: Duke Athletics

McVeigh Leads Duke Past Wake Forest in ACC Quarterfinal

11/5/2024 7:19:00 PM | Field Hockey

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Duke junior forward Alaina McVeigh scored twice to lead the sixth-ranked Blue Devils to a 4-1 victory over Wake Forest in the ACC Field Hockey Championship quarterfinal Tuesday afternoon at Kentner Stadium.

Macy Szukics finished her afternoon with a goal and an assist and Logan Clouser rounded out Duke's goal scoring contingent. Charlie van Oirschot and Issy Carey both had an assist in the victory.

How it Happened

Duke (12-5) controlled possession in the opening quarter, but were unable to create many dangerous looks on goal. The first shot came on a sweep from Szukics on the penalty corner and Brynn Crouse's look was kicked away by Ellie Todd to send the teams into the first break scoreless.
Wake Forest nearly took a 1-0 lead as Ava Moore's wind up sailed wide. The Demon Deacons continued to put pressure on the Blue Devils, earning a penalty corner in the 19th minute. Duke goalkeeper Frederique Wollaert came up with a massive diving save on Mia Schoenbeck's drag flick.
Todd came up with her third save of the game for Wake Forest in the final two minutes of the second quarter, denying Clouser's shot off the penalty corner insert from Kira Curland.
Duke fired eight shots in the scoreless opening half with three coming on goal. Wake Forest generated three looks at the cage.
Duke grabbed the 1-0 lead in the 39th minute on a stroke from Szukics. Clouser had the back tackle as Wake Forest tried to get out of its defensive third. The senior forward dribbled into the circle, drawing a foul from behind to earn the penalty stroke.
After a stifling defensive performance in the third quarter, the Blue Devils extended their lead to 2-0 just 2:14 into the period. Szukics started the play on a quick restart, finding McVeigh inside the circle. The talented forward beat one Wake Forest defender and hit a backhanded shot into the left corner for her 12th goal of the year.
McVeigh made it 3-0 minutes later, forcing another Wake Forest turnover. van Oirschot collected the loose ball and dribbled to the circle, slipping a pass to McVeigh who took a touch to beat Todd before sliding it inside the far post.
Wake Forest responded 20 seconds later to spoil Duke's shutout effort. Brooke McCusker got loose inside the circle to finish a pass from Anabelle Brodeur.
Clouser extended Duke's lead back to three in the 56th minute, finishing a pass from Issy Carey on the left post.
Duke outshot 17-4 for the game, including 9-1in the second half. Wollaert finished the day with one save while Todd had five stops for the Demon Deacons.

Notes

Duke improves to 23-42 all-time in ACC Championship action and 18-17 in opening round games. The Blue Devils will play in an ACC semifinal for the 26th time and for the second consecutive season.
Alaina McVeigh scored twice for the fourth time this season. Her two markers push her to 13 for the season and 30 for her career. She is the 20th player in the program history to record 30 career goals. Her four points give her 65 for her career to rank 26th in school history.
Macy Szukics registered her first goal of the season and the fourth of her career. She is 2-3 on penalty strokes in her career.
Duke captured 12 wins in a season for the 23rd time in program history and for the 10th time under Bustin.

Up Next

Duke will play No. 8 Boston College in the ACC Semifinals Nov. 6 at 3:30 p.m.

To stay up to date with Blue Devils field hockey, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeFH".

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