Unbeaten Duke women's lacrosse side opens ACC slate with No. 11 Notre Dame Sunday
By Ben Feder | February 24, 2017The Fighting Irish enter the contest averaging 17.6 goals per game, tops among teams that have played more than one game this season.
The Fighting Irish enter the contest averaging 17.6 goals per game, tops among teams that have played more than one game this season.
People like to say that lacrosse is the fastest game played on two feet. As far as Duke senior Ethan Powley is concerned, that is perfectly fine.
An experienced college player decided to transfer to Durham and join a group of heralded recruits in the midfield before the Blue Devils opened summer workouts.
The Oradell, N.J., native, who has anchored Duke’s defense as a starter throughout her four years as a Blue Devil, was one of 36 players named to the 2017 U.S. women’s national team.
So far, it seems like Lockwood has secured the starting job for the time being. Through the first four games—including a win against then-No. 12 Stanford—Lockwood has received the lion’s share of opportunities in net, spending all but 20:11 between the pipes.
Denver closed the game on a 6-1 run to deal the No. 15 Blue Devils a 14-9 setback at Paul Barton Stadium in Denver.
Led by midfielder Maddie Crutchfield’s career-high five goals and goalkeeper Jamie Lockwood’s nine saves, No. 10 Duke knocked off No. 12 Stanford 12-8 Saturday evening at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas, in the Patriot Cup.
After an uneven start to the season through three games, Duke may be in for its toughest challenge of the entire season.
Although Duke has already notched three straight wins to start off the year, Saturday's contest marks the Blue Devils’ first opportunity to earn a victory away from home in their first test against a ranked opponent.
The Blue Devils have been bounced from the NCAA tournament in the first round the last two years, but Sunday they showed the gap between a perennial contender and fledgling program.
Exactly one year ago today, the Blue Devils traveled to Annapolis, Md., in a final tune-up game before diving right into the teeth of their schedule.
In a contest marked by sloppy passes, difficult clears and a defensive struggle throughout, the ever-so-slightly more polished Blue Devils emerged victorious.
Junior Kyra Harney led the charge for the Blue Devils with three goals and two assists, with freshman midfielder Catherine Cordrey contributing four goals of her own to notch her first career hat trick.
With another top-20 test at No. 3 Denver on the horizon next week, the Blue Devils know they likely need improved play from their young offensive midfielders and on the back end of their defense to make early-season improvements this week.
Although the Blue Devils are ultimately looking to notch two more wins under their belt, Duke is also hoping to get off to a quicker start after struggling early in a 9-7 win against Drexel last weekend.
Against a tough opponent to start the season, a young team hit an early wall. No. 10 Duke fell to No. 17 Air Force at home at Koskinen Stadium, 11-10, as a strong fourth quarter lifted the Falcons over the Blue Devils.
Defense was crucial Sunday as the hosts overcame a slow start to control the latter part of the game.
The No. 10 Blue Devils welcome No. 17 Air Force to Durham Sunday at 3 p.m. at Koskinen Stadium.
The Blue Devils had to replace several stars on offense last offseason, and hope more continuity this year will help the team absorb Duryea's loss starting Sunday against the Dragons.
This summer, Duke’s athletes in Rio were not the only ones representing their countries.