Riding high on a five-game winning streak in which they have outscored their opponents 24 6, the No. 3 Blue Devils (14-3, 1-2 in the ACC) are looking to lock up a top seed in next week’s ACC Tournament with a win Saturday against No. 16 Virginia (10-8, 0-3) in Durham.
Although the team has already qualified for the tournament, Duke can finish anywhere from second to fourth in the conference. A win or loss against the Cavaliers could make the difference between another game or a day off Thursday.
“It’s a matter of ending up fourth and playing a play-in game or ending up second and third and not having to play the play-in game,” head coach Beth Bozman said. “It’s hugely important.”
Bozman’s players also understand the matchup is critical.
“We’re really focused on this game because we know we have to win in order to be second and third in the ACC,” said junior Nicole Dudek, the team’s leading scorer.
Saturday’s 1 p.m. matchup will also mark the first time in three weeks that the Blue Devils have faced off against an ACC opponent. Since falling to No. 4 Maryland 5-4 in overtime Oct. 9, the Blue Devils have faced a mix of both regional and Big Ten teams. The team is looking to use this game as a way to get back into the groove of conference play prior to the tournament in Winston-Salem next weekend.
“We haven’t played an ACC team in a little while, so it’s a nice warmup for the tournament,” senior Johanna Bischof said.
Virginia enters the game on a two-game slide after falling to both No. 2 North Carolina and No. 1 Wake Forest in consecutive weeks. Mia Link, a center midfielder who leads her team with 15 goals and five assists, paces the Virginia attack. Bozman also noted the improved play of the Cavaliers since the start of the season and said she expects a competitive game.
“They definitely have been playing better the second half of the season,” Bozman said. “I think we have a good feel on how they play, but we’re really focused in on our game right now.”
From an offensive standpoint, the Blue Devils will look to continue to play the same type of style that has brought them success all season. The team has spent most of practice this week trying to shore up its fast-paced attack, working on moving the ball quickly around the field.
“All together we’re a stronger team,” Dodek said. “We’re just looking forward to playing our game.”
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