The field hockey team first 14 games set up the season, the final four will determine where it goes.
Duke (9-5, 2-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) begins the penultimate portion of its schedule tonight when it hosts third-ranked Maryland (17-1, 1-1) at 7 p.m. at the East Campus Turf Field. No. 19 Duke's match against the Terrapins kicks off a four-game stretch during which it plays three of the top four teams in the country. The Blue Devils host Maine, the one unranked foe, this Sunday at noon.
And whereas in years past this would be the wrapup to a season, now Duke is looking at these final games as a bridge to the NCAAs. Realistically, the Blue Devils must win at least one of the games against Maryland, North Carolina or Virginia, and possibly two. But Duke isn't backing down from the pressure.
"It's a heightened expectation," junior Trina Santomauro said. "We know we can play at the highest caliber so we expect to play at that caliber."
The quest begins with the Terps, a traditional power in both the conference and the nation. Maryland enters the game having downed No. 5 Princeton and eighth-ranked Providence within the past week by a combined total of nine goals. The Terps also upset top-ranked Old Dominion on Oct. 2.
Maryland is led by Nadine Bennett, who is second in the ACC in overall scoring and goals. She paces an offense that leads the conference in goals scored and assists.
"They're a great team," coach Liz Tchou said. "They're probably the strongest, attack-wise, that we've played. They're very good on transition from defense to attack."
Tchou referred to Maryland's ability to strike at any moment. In a 5-1 loss to UNC earlier in the season, Duke was victimized by quick Tar Heel fast-breaks. Against Maryland, Duke will look to hold down a potent attack by avoiding odd-man rushes.
"We have to try and stay in front of them and make them go outside," said Santomauro, a defender. "As long as we are patient we can stop them. We have to go all out and work the ball around."
One of Duke's biggest games of the 1996 season was a 2-1 win over Maryland in mid-September. That contest, played when the Terrapins were ranked second in the country, gave confidence to a team unaccustomed to beating the top schools.
"After playing Maryland last year, we know when we're focused we're unstoppable," Santomauro said. "We have to keep our focus on each other and perform to our best. As long as we keep our focus, it will just come this weekend."
Sunday's contest, in contrast to tonight's, is put bluntly by Santomauro into the category of must-win. For a team on the bubble in terms of the NCAAs, the Maine game is one Duke realizes it can ill afford to lose.
Last season the Blue Devils beat two top-five ACC opponents during the regular season. They're not sure how many it will take this year, but with a one game at a- ime focus, Duke is hoping to use the final four games to move back into the postseason picture.
"It's a singular approach," Tchou said. "But we also realize what we have to do to accomplish our goals. We definitely know how important the games are collectively, but we do have to take them game-by-game."
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