The women's lacrosse team extended its winning streak to five with a convincing, 14-11 win over Georgetown, the defending national runners-up. The Blue Devils toppled their hosts, the third-ranked Hoyas, on the strength of a well-balanced, well-spread out team effort.
But the Duke attack was undeniably spearheaded by freshman Katie Chrest, who logged four goals and an assist. Chrest was awarded the ACC Player of the Week award based upon her efforts against the Hoyas and a three-goal performance in an 8-4 win over No. 6 Princeton - the defending national champions - earlier in the week.
The Maryland native started the scoring early, and a Kate Kaiser tally gave the Blue Devils a 2-0 lead less than four minutes into the game. After the Devils and Hoyas traded scores, Chrest put her second ball between the pipes to give Duke a three-goal advantage.
Thirty seconds later, the Hoyas cut their deficit to two on the strength of a goal by Wick Stanwick. But again, Chrest had an answer prepared in the form of yet another goal with 12:08 left in the half.
Duke was able to stop a quick two-goal Georgetown rally by responding with three of its own from Jessica Bennett and Katie Laschinger. The Blue Devils went into halftime leading by a score of 8-4.
The Hoyas came out swinging, scoring an immediate goal, but Chrest responded with her fourth and final goal of the game. Blue Devil senior All-America Lauren Gallagher added an insurance goal, extending the Duke lead to five.
The point would prove necessary, as Georgetown beat freshman goalie Megan Huether for three quick ones. Sophomore Kristy Dirks responded with two tallies of her own to bring the lead back to four. The two teams traded goals until the end of the contest.
The Blue Devils should move up to the No. 2 spot when the latest national polls are released Wednesday, as second-ranked Maryland was upset by No. 12 North Carolina this past week.
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