COLLEGE PARK, Md. - When the Maryland women's lacrosse team was preparing the menu for Friday night's game against Duke, it only needed to include one item: revenge-a dish best served cold.
The top-ranked Terrapins (2-0, 1-0 in the ACC), who were upset by the Blue Devils last season, used a 6-0 spurt over a 25-minute first half stretch to defeat No. 7 Duke (1-1, 0-1), 8-5, on a chilly night in College Park.
"What we got from Maryland is exactly what I expected," coach Kerstin Kimel said. "They are a prolific scoring team. I don't think I could have asked any more out of our defense or our goalie."
The Blue Devils opened the contest with a goal by junior Tricia Martin just 1:42 into the game to take a 1-0 lead.
Maryland got a goal from Christie Jenkins 3:10 later to tie the score at 1-1, and the Terps' first half domination began. Two goals apiece from Quinn Carney and Jen Adams, as well as Meredith Egan blast at the 18 minute mark, gave Maryland a 6-1 lead with just eight seconds left in the half.
Duke received a spark to end the first stanza, as Martin took the face-off and sprinted down the field for a goal with no time left on the clock, bringing the Blue Devils to within 6-2 at the intermission.
Duke carried the momentum from the late goal into the second half, as it controlled the Terrapins for the final 30 minutes. Back-to-back goals by freshman Kate Kaiser pulled the Blue Devils to within 6-4 with 18:11 to play.
After a free-position score by sophomore Kate Soulier cut the Terp advantage to one with 7:29 left, Duke missed two opportunities to draw even with the home team.
"Our defense was great in the second half," Martin said. "It was only our second game of the season, so our freshmen are only going to get better with experience."
Maryland's Kristin Sommar found the back of the net with 3:49 to play, sealing the win for her team. Quinn Carney scored her third goal of the night with one second on the clock for the 8-5 final.
"This team really has a lot of heart," Kimel said. "We played tonight with a lot of intensity. We stayed positive and focused throughout and really worked together as a team."
The story of the game was time of possession, as the Terps held the ball for almost the entirety of the opening half in building their lead. The Blue Devils' rally was a direct result of their ability to control the loose balls in the second stanza. Overall, however, Maryland outshot Duke 24-15 and held a 41-11 advantage in ground balls.
"Draw controls are huge," Martin said. "Even the ones we did win we couldn't seem to pick up the ball. That's a part of the game we are going to have to improve on."
The player of the game for the Terps may have been goalie Alex Kahoe. The All-American recorded 16 saves, many of which came at point-blank range as Duke attempted to get back in the game.
"Our attack is young, and it showed tonight," Kimel said. "They were a little indecisive, and we didn't shoot the ball well at all tonight. You really have to shoot better against a goalie like Kahoe."
The Blue Devils will look to rebound next Saturday, when they host Towson at 11 a.m.
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