No. 8 Duke Blanks UConn, 1-0

Sunday, October 19

Storrs, Conn.

12 p.m.

Duke University

(11-4)

UConn

(7-8)

Duke

UConn

Photo by: Sean Sadayasu

No. 8 Duke Blanks UConn, 1-0

10/19/2025 1:57:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score Box Score

STORRS, Conn. – Duke scored 1:25 into the second quarter and held off a tough UConn squad in the second half to post a 1-0 road victory over the Huskies Sunday afternoon in non-conference field hockey action.

The eighth-ranked Blue Devils won their fourth straight and nabbed their 10th win of the year, improving to 10-4 overall. Macy Szukics recorded the lone goal of the game.

How it Happened

The first quarter was played mostly in the middle of the field with UConn having a slight edge in possession. The Huskies managed three shots in the period with one landing on goal as the teams headed into the first break scoreless.
It didn't take long for the Blue Devils to strike in the second quarter, earning their first penalty corner 1:20 into the period. For the 13th time this season, Duke capitalized on a set piece as Szukics' sweep slid past UConn goalie Natalie McKenna for the 1-0 lead. Alaina McVeigh provided the insert and Madison Beach the stick-stop for the assists.
Duke got another look from a penalty corner in the final seconds, but McKenna knocked away an Ava Cickavage to keep the Blue Devils' lead at 1-0 at the half.
The Blue Devils controlled the run of play in the first 10 minutes of the third quarter, outshooting UConn 4-1 and winning a trio of penalty corners. The Huskies regained their rhythm and generated a flurry of penalty corners late in the period, but Duke's stellar defensive penalty corner unit stood tall to send the Blue Devils into the fourth quarter with the narrow 1-0 lead.
Like it has done all year, Duke continued its steady defensive play to earn its sixth shutout of the season. Blue Devil goalkeeper Kaiya Chepow made three saves for her fourth clean sheet of the year.
Both teams had eight shots apiece with Duke holding a 5-4 edge in penalty corners. McKenna finished her afternoon with six saves.

Notes

Alaina McVeigh's assist this afternoon pushed her to 88 career points, tied for 16th in Duke history.
Madison Beach registered her eighth assist of the season, leaving her three shy of becoming the 21st player in Duke history to record 11 in a year.
Kaiya Chepow made three saves to post her fourth clean sheet of the year. Her 0.83 goals against average would rank third in Duke single-season history. Only three different Blue Devil goaltenders have posted a goals against average under 1.00 in a season.
Head coach Pam Bustin captured her 347th career victory. She is three shy of becoming the 27th coach across all three divisions and 13th Division I leader to reach 350 wins.
Sunday's win gives Duke 10 victories in a season for the 11th time under Bustin and for the 32nd time in program history.

Up Next

Duke closes out its home regular season next weekend, hosting a top-five Wake Forest team and Old Dominion. The Blue Devils and Demon Deacons square off Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. Duke will celebrate its graduate students and seniors following the contest against the Monarchs, Oct. 26.

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