The No. 11 men's lacrosse team (8-7) lost its most important non-conference game of the season Saturday, with a 9-8 decision to Hofstra.
Coming into the game, the Blue Devils were desperate for a win to give themselves an opportunity to advance to the NCAA tournament. With the loss, Duke can only sit and wait until next Sunday when the at-large bids are announced.
The Bulldogs (10-4), who were led by two goals from Tim Treubig in the final five minutes, overcame Duke's one-goal lead late in the fourth quarter. The game was nip and tuck the whole way, and included four lead changes.
"I think in general they were just tougher at the end," senior Kevin Cassese said. "It was an evenly matched game the entire day. We were seesawing back and forth."
Duke jumped on the scoreboard early as Matt Rewkowski, recently named to the All-ACC team, had an unassisted goal at the 11:55 mark of the first quarter. Just over 40 seconds later the Blue Devils struck again, as Dan Flannery beat Hofstra goalie Matthew Southard on a pass from Kevin Brennan.
Although Duke dominated the Pride in the first quarter shot total, Hofstra managed to net three consecutive goals to take the lead 3-2. The first two goals came within 11 seconds of each other, as the Blue Devil defense had a lapse that proved to be costly.
"It happened that they got a few bounces back at the end and they capitalized on them," All-ACC performer Cassese said. "We had a few opportunities as well but we didn't capitalize on them. In a one goal game that will make the difference."
Matt Monfett, who led No. 11 Duke in scoring with a hat trick, gave the Blue Devils a 4-3 lead at the end of the first quarter on an unassisted goal. He also netted the only other goal before halftime, as Duke confidently carried a 5-3 lead into intermission.
"I think both teams were fatigued," Cassese said. "They had a game Wednesday night and we were coming of the ACC tournament. Toward the end, both teams were dragging but they just played better."
As the third quarter opened, Monfett scored yet again to open second half play and Rewkowski and Ryan Lucas both beat keeper Southard to push Duke further ahead 6-3. Duke appeared to be in complete control of the Pride.
Just as the Blue Devils were gaining momentum, the Pride struck back with another outburst of goals. Similar to their display in the first quarter, Hofstra again beat Duke goalkeeper A.J. Kincel three consecutive times.
"Give them credit," Cassese said. "They were able to make the play to win. Once again, we fell a little short."
With the score knotted at 6-6, Brennan took command for the Blue Devils and gave his team the lead with the first of his two goals. The game again drew to a tie as Joe Kostolansky tied the game at 7-7 with only 51 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Brennan scored Duke's last goal early in the fourth quarter to give them an 8-7 lead which they would later relinquish. With the loss, the Blue Devils are certainly on the bubble to make the NCAA tournament. They will have to practice this week and wait for a call next weekend.
"There is still hope that we could get in," Cassese said. "We're on the outside looking in but we're going to prepare to go to the NCAA tournament. Whether it's a reality, we'll have to wait and see."
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