DURHAM, N.C. – Third-ranked Virginia scored a goal on a penalty corner in the 51st minute and held off the ninth-ranked Blue Devils in a 1-0 victory in ACC field hockey action Friday afternoon.
The Cavaliers remain undefeated at 8-0 and 2-0 in ACC play while Duke falls to 4-4 overall and 0-1 in conference action.
How it Happened
- Virginia had an early opportunity with a penalty corner in the first minute. Like it has done all season, Duke’s defensive penalty corner unit was up to the task, blocking the first shot. The rebound fell to Jans Croon and was pushed away by Duke goalkeeper Frederique Wollaert.
- The Cavaliers continued to press the Blue Devils, firing off three more shots and accumulating three more penalty corners in the period. Two of the shots came off penalty corners as the Blue Devils held off Virginia after 15 minutes.
- Virginia tacked on a sixth shot early in the second quarter before the Blue Devils started to find their rhythm. The best chance of the half came from the stick of Barb Civitella as she tried to redirect a pass from Charlie van Oirschot. Virginia goalkeeper Tyler Kennedy stood tall to make the save.
- Duke’s first penalty corner came midway through the period as Bronwyn Bird had her shot blocked and Civitella sent the rebound over the cage, sending the teams into the locker rooms scoreless.
- The third-quarter action was played mostly in the middle of the field with the Blue Devils having the majority of possession. Once again, Duke held its opponent without a shot in the period, but only managed one of its own as the top 10 foes headed to the fourth quarter tied.
- Virginia earned its first penalty corner since the 13th minute five minutes into the final frame. Meghen Hengerer stepped to the endline to insert to Emily Field as the trapper. Mia Abello had a perfect sweep, beating Duke’s defense and Wollaert for the lone goal of the game.
- Duke appeared to tie the game with just over five minutes remaining as Alaina McVeigh connected on a penalty corner, but it was denied due to a foul prior to the shot.
- Virginia outshot the Blue Devils 8-4 for the game and had a 5-3 edge in penalty corners. Both Kennedy and Wollaert recorded one save.
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