Duke Outlasts Virginia Tech on the Road, 9-8

Saturday, March 16

Blacksburg, VA

12 PM

Duke University

6-4 (1-3)

Virginia Tech

6-4 (2-2)

Duke

Virginia Tech

Photo by: DANA GENTRY

Duke Outlasts Virginia Tech on the Road, 9-8

3/16/2024 2:39:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Duke outlasted Virginia Tech, 9-8, Saturday afternoon in ACC women's lacrosse action in Blacksburg, Va.

Winners of three straight, the Blue Devils improve to 6-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play.

Duke was led offensively by Katie DeSimone and Maddie McCorkle with two points and an assist while Carly Bernstein dished two dimes. Goalie Kennedy Everson collected the win in the cage with nine saves for a .529 save percentage. Defensively, Reilly Traynor tallied two caused turnovers.

How it Happened

Virginia Tech got on the board first just two-and-a-half minutes into the contest before the two teams traded goals, giving the Hokies a slight advantage (2-1).
Duke responded well and went on a 5-0 run as Bernstein, DeSimone and McCorkle each tallied two points in the span of 12 minutes.
Trailing 6-2 in the second quarter, the Hokies ended their scoring drought with four unanswered as Paige Tyson tallied a hat trick with three of the four scores.
McCorkle found the back of the cage for the second time with under a minute remaining to give Duke a 7-6 lead heading into the break.
Duke's defense limited the Hokies to just one goal in the third quarter, pulling away with a two-goal lead with scores from DeSimone and Lexi Schmalz. Duke was awarded a free position with Olivia Carner on the line. Carner dished a nice pass to DeSimone with 4:19 remaining in the third quarter for the 9-7 advantage.
Both teams struggled to find offense in the fourth frame as Duke was held scoreless.
Virginia Tech's Olivia Vergano scored with seven minutes remaining, making it a one goal game (9-8).
Duke's Bella Goodwin was charged with the offensive foul, giving Virginia Tech the ball back with 3:18 remaining. Following a Hokie timeout, Ella Rishko was fouled, sending her to the 8-meter line for a free-position attempt. Her shot went high over the cage and Duke's defense hung tough to force a shot clock violation, giving the Blue Devils their second ACC win this spring.

Notables

It was head coach Kerstin Kimel's 346th-career victory and her 342nd at the helm of the Blue Devils.
The all-time series moves to 24-4 in favor of Duke.
Duke moves to 3-2 on the road this spring.
DeSimone now owns 244 career points to rank sixth in program history. She is 43 points shy of tying Duke great Katie Chrest Erbe's all-time points record of 287.
DeSimone has been Duke's leading scorer in all 10 games this spring.
Virginia Tech outshot Duke, 27-22, and dominated at the draw control circle, 15-5.
Virginia Tech was led by Tyson with a hat trick. Lilly Kannapell tallied six saves the loss.

Up Next

Duke will have a week off before hosting No. 2 Boston College Saturday, March 23. Opening draw is set for 1 p.m., on ACCNX. It will begin a four-game homestand in Koskinen Stadium.

For more information on Duke women's lacrosse, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "DukeWLAX.

Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu

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