It is hard to figure out the Duke field hockey team.
Duke possesses a 4-7-1 record (0-5-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference). Last weekend in a double overtime tie, the Blue Devils outshot defending national champion Maryland 30-14. However, on Friday, they lost to American 1-0, failing to convert on six penalty corners. Then on Sunday, Duke bounced back to defeat California 2-1.
"[The players] need to get prepared for each contest regardless of who it is," head coach Jacki Silar said.
Against American, the Blue Devils once again outplayed their competition but failed to win the game. It marked the sixth time that Duke has been shut out this season.
"We did not play well," Silar said. "We're not finishing our work offensively or defensively. We played their style of game today. We were backing off and they were beating us to the ball."
After moving the ball deep into Duke territory, the Eagles were awarded with a penalty corner with 27:41 remaining in the first half. American star Stacy-Ann Siu-butt knocked in the corner to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead -- a lead that they would never relinquish.
Before the game, the Blue Devils were concerned with Siu-butt, a native of Trinidad who has tallied 26 goals on the season.
"We had Melissa [Panasci] and Mary Dye double down on her," Silar said.
With Panasci, Duke's leading scorer, guarding Siu-butt, the Blue Devils failed to capitalize when the ball penetrated the Eagles' defense.
With six minutes remaining, Duke had its best scoring chance when sophomore Jodie Taylor received a penalty shot. However, American's Katia Albanese saved the shot and preserved the victory.
"Nobody was excited about [scoring]," junior Margaret Salisbury said. "I think people depend on other people too much on the team, rather than get it in themselves."
On Sunday, the Blue Devils looked to raise their intensity as they faced the West Coast's top power in California.
The Golden Bears controlled the first half earning four penalty corners and one penalty stroke compared to Duke's one penalty corner.
"The first half we didn't play," Silar said. "What I am upset with is when we first step out on the field, we don't come out ready to play."
Four minutes into the second half, California's Ilse Akkermans gave the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead off a penalty corner. Cal's goal served as a wake-up call to the Blue Devils, who seized control of the game.
"[At halftime] I told them that they were better than Berkeley, but they were not showing it," Silar said. "They had to pick it up."
To give the team a spark, Silar moved Salisbury to the front. The move paid off, as Panasci scored off penalty a corner with assists from Dye and junior Tamara Gehris a mere three minutes after Cal scored.
"Margaret is my utility player," Silar said. "She'll play wherever we need her to play."
With 14:08 remaining in the game, Gehris gave Duke the 2-1 final by scoring off a rebound from a penalty corner.
"It was a matter of respect for ourselves, for our program," Gehris said. "[The first half] was embarrassing. We need to build on this and take it from there."
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