For the field hockey program, things seem to be different this year. Whereas last year's success earned the Blue Devils a national ranking, Duke quickly fell out of the polls and finished with a disappointing season. This time around, however, the Blue Devils have responded to their national ranking and are moving up, rather than out of the national polls.
The No. 7 Blue Devils notched two non-conference victories this weekend at the East Campus Turf Field to improve their record to 4-2 under first-year head coach Liz Tchou. To begin the weekend, Duke up-ended Harvard 2-1. It then knocked off No. 16 William & Mary with an impressive 3-2 victory on Sunday afternoon.
Despite a recent U.S. News & World Report issue indicating that Harvard remains a notch above Duke in the classroom, the Blue Devils proved on Friday afternoon that the Crimson (3-1) has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to field hockey.
Duke dominated play throughout the game, outshooting Harvard 19-2. All-American Melissa Panasci's goal off a penalty corner with 21:30 remaining in the game lifted the Blue Devils to victory.
The Blue Devils began the scoring when sophomore speedster Emily Ford crossed the ball to Panasci midway through the first half. Panasci proceeded to do what she had done eight times earlier this season-put the ball in the back of the goal. At this point, it appeared as though Duke was on its way to a blowout of Harvard, as the Blue Devils had numerous opportunities in the beginning of the game. But less than a minute after Duke's first goal, Harvard's Judy Collins sprinted past the Blue Devil defense and ripped a shot past goalkeeper Brooke Fuller to even up the score. It remained that way until Panasci's blast late in the second half.
Even though Duke was happy to walk away with a win, it was not exactly pleased with its performance.
"We did not come out with the same intensity," coach Tchou said. "Even when you're playing a team that's unranked, you still have to have your skill execution and I didn't think we had that."
Tri-captain Samantha Schutte was disappointed as well.
"We're definitely happy with a win," Schutte said, "but kind of frustrated with the way we came out."
The Blue Devils had a chance to change that frustration on Sunday and certainly took advantage of the opportunity as they pounced on William & Mary from the opening whistle. Before most fans could get settled in their seats, Duke had already opened up a 2-0 lead. Just two minutes in, junior forward Mandy Schott began the first half scoring barage with her second score of the season. Soon after, sophomore midfielder Mary Jo Reider lifted the ball in the goal for the Blue Devils' second goal. Just before the end of the first half, Duke widened the scoring gap when freshman Johanna Ashley scored to make it a 3-0 affair.
The Tribe worked out some problems at halftime and made it an interesting game in the second half. William & Mary capitalized on a penalty stroke taken by Erin Olivier with 13:14 left to play. With momentum swinging the Tribe's way, Mandy Longstreth narrowed the game to a 3-2 Blue Devil lead with 9:10 remaining in the game off a penalty corner. But this year's Duke team did not crumble down the stretch. In fact, it only got stronger, as the Blue Devils did not allow another shot on goal following William & Mary's second goal.
Unlike Friday's game, Duke was excited about this win.
"We picked it up," Schutte said. "We're really psyched. Our skill level picked up. We executed what we were working on in practice."
The coaching staff was also excited about the team's performance.
"I was happy with the intensity today," Tchou said. "Decision-making is getting better and we are definitely improving."
This Wednesday, the Blue Devils will find out just how much it has improved as it faces last year's national champion and Atlanta Coast Conference rival North Carolina.
Things seem to be different this year and a win over the Tar Heels may not be so unusual after all.
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