In each of the past two seasons, Duke has found itself on the brink of winning the national title. On both occasions, however, the team has come up short, losing to rival Wake Forest in the championship game.
This season, the Blue Devils hope their postseason experience will give them the edge they need to finally accomplish their ultimate goals of winning the program’s first ACC title and first national championship.
“I think it’s the experience that the core of this team has that will get us through,” senior Kirsten Bosman said. “The team is really close this year, and we all just want to work for each other. I think that’s going to be the main difference and give us an extra edge when it comes to that final game.”
The Blue Devils will return eight starters from last season’s team, making them one of the most experienced squads in the country. In addition, the team’s core will be supplemented by an incoming freshman class that features athletes from many of the nation’s premiere field hockey schools.
“Just the confidence and skills that they bring as incoming freshman is incredible,” Bosman said. “I think they’ll be a key asset to the team this year. They’re all going to be getting significant playing time and will be an important part.”
Much of Duke’s strength lies in its explosive offense, which scored a school record 117 goals last season. Headlining the unit are senior forwards Nicole Dudek and Katie Grant. Their 119 combined points (44 goals and 31 assists) were the most scored by any two teammates in the country.
“Katie and I have been playing together for a couple of years now,” Dudek said. “We have a great connection with making eye contact, knowing where one another is going to be, working together and putting it in the goal.”
The Blue Devils’ attack will be supported by one of the country’s strongest midfields, which will be anchored by juniors Hilary Linton and Amy Stopford. Linton was named a second team-all American last season and Stopford spent a large part of the summer playing for the U.S. U21 national team.
In goal, sophomore Caitlin Williams will start for Duke while senior Christy Morgan recovers from a back injury. In four starts last season, Williams compiled a 1.08 goals against average while recording an ACC-leading three shutouts.
The Blue Devils will also face a more difficult schedule this season, with the team replacing weaker regional opponents with games against tougher Big Ten teams. In addition, Duke has only six home games, down from nine a year ago.
“I think it’s a little harder than last year, but it’s still good for us to prepare for the tournament,” Dudek said. “We’re probably not going to be at home in the tournament anyway so it’s good for us to get used to playing away on other teams’ turf.”
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