The Blue Devils have a score to settle with Yale.
Last November, Duke's season came to an abrupt end when Yale's Laurel Kames scored a last-second goal to pull out a win for the Bulldogs, 2-1, in the second round of the NCAA College Cup.
In its first road game of this year's season, No. 12 Duke (2-0) will travel to New Haven, Conn. to take on the team that halted last season's championship drive and ended the careers of several talented seniors sooner than they would have liked.
"We definitely ended our season on a disappointed note," head coach Robbie Church said. "It's kind of strange to turn around and go back there, but everyone's looking forward to the game. I think obviously there's a little revenge factor, but it's a chance to play two nationally-ranked teams on the road and it's a little bit special to go back."
The Blue Devils' match with the No. 23 Bulldogs Friday is the first of two games they will play in New Haven this weekend-Duke will also play No. 16 Connecticut (0-1-1) Sunday.
This weekend will mark the second of four which Church said he will use to determine his core combination of players before conference play begins Sept. 21.
The Blue Devils won their first two games over St. Louis and Western Carolina Aug. 25 and 27, respectively, in Durham. Against the Billikens, two freshman goals set up the 3-1 win. In the second match, Duke outlasted the Catamounts with a lone goal from senior forward Sarah McCabe for the 1-0 victory.
Church, however, had mixed feelings about the results and said the team is still finding its rhythm.
"I thought it was two different games last weekend," Church said. "In the first game we did a nice job finishing. In the second we did a nice job creating those scoring opportunities, but with finishing we didn't do a great job. Here we'll look to do a great job of both."
In its first time on the road this season, Duke faced some trouble with its travels--the team was delayed at RDU Thursday afternoon and was forced to miss its connecting flight in Philadelphia. But Church said the traveling experience is just one more thing his young team needs to learn to deal with mentally as part of its competitive schedule.
"It's kind of the opportunity to play two nationally-ranked teams and on the road," Church said. "We need to learn to win on the road, not just at home. We have a young team, and I'm happy we have that opportunity to see how our young players travel."
But travel difficulties are not the only challenges the Blue Devils need to adjust to on the road. Last season, Duke had some trouble with the field conditions at Yale.
"It's a different type of grass; it's not the same type of grass we have here in the South, but I don't think it will be a problem," Church said. "It's the opening game, and the field will be in a lot better shape."
Aside from the expected improved conditions in New Haven this year, Church said the Blue Devils are mentally prepared for their re-match with the Bulldogs as well.
"We haven't spent a lot of time talking about last season, but you can feel it-they're ready to play this game," Church said. "When we get on the field at 4:00, they'll be ready."
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