The field hockey team (6-2) proved it deserved to jump three spots to 13th in the National Field Hockey Coaches' Association poll this week with its fourth straight victory last night, decimating Davidson (4-4) 12-0 at Williams Field.
Junior forward Kim Van Kirk began the onslaught, scoring the team's first goal two minutes into the game, and then following it up with another seven minutes later.
Van Kirk added a blast into the right corner off a pass from forward Katie Grant in the second half to complete the hat trick.
"We were coming off two big wins this weekend and really wanted to come out hard and play well together," Van Kirk said. "I was pretty hungry to get in there and was able to deflect the first two right past the goalie."
The onslaught did not end as forward Johanna Bischof and tri-captain Chrissy Ashley scored within two minutes of each other. Chrissy, scoring her first of three goals for the night, settled the ball at the top of the circle and then blasted it by the goalie.
"We came out really strong and put things together," Ashley said. "They just could not take our pressure."
At wat point Davidson Coach Lisa Thompson took
Both goals came off corners and with Bischof assisting. Duke's potent corner tactics included rapid passing to the top of the circle, quick fake passes and, finally, delivering punishing shots past the goalie.
Though the Wildcats ended the first half without controlling the ball within the Blue Devils' circle, they came out strong in the second 35, applying pressure deep into Duke's defensive third.
The Blue Devils' resilient defense, however, refused to let down and prevented the Wildcats from ever testing a bored Erica Perrier in goal.
Van Kirk quickly reinvigorated the Duke attack with her final goal of the game��a rocket into the right corner. Grant added her third assist of the night on the play.
Wildcat goalie Sarah Nolan continued to play hard between the posts, even making saves sprawled out across the goal line.
Yet her effort alone could simply not overcome Duke's overwhelming and persistent offensive force that added two more goals off rebounds.
"We came out in pre-game with high energy and wanted to maintain the high tempo for the game," head coach Liz Tchou said. "I was really proud of them coming out strong in their third game in four days."
Ashley, off Bischof's fourth assist of the night, completed the hat trick, and then midfielder Jessica Fluck scored the Blue Devils' 12th and final goal of the night minutes later.
The defense, led by sophomore Gracie Sorbello, prevented Davidson from assembling any form of offensive threat with thorough communication, efficient passing and quick switches off the field.
"We had a better feel for the game and really took it to them. We stepped it up and became the aggressors," Sorbello said.
Duke enters ACC play Friday at third-ranked Wake Forest. Five ACC teams are in the top-20 including No. 1 Maryland, which Duke plays October 12th, and seventh-ranked North Carolina, which the Blue Devils will face twice within a two-week span in October.
Tchou promised the team a day off today in order to rest up for a hard practice Thursday in preparation for the Demon Deacons.
"This win gives us a lot of confidence," she said. "But we will have to rest, eat well and then come out strong."
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