University of Louisville
Duke<br>(Champion's Challenge)
No. 3 Duke Edges No. 14 Field Hockey 2-1
August 26, 2006 | Field Hockey
Aug. 26, 2006
DURHAM, N.C. - - The 14th ranked University of Louisville field hockey team took a 1-0 lead in the second half, but third-ranked, 2005 NCAA runner-up Duke scored two unanswered goals to defeat the Cards 2-1 in both teams' season opener at the Champion's Challenge Saturday. The Cards (0-1) will face No. 16 Michigan State (0-1) in the consolation game Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
"We are proud of our performance, but not pleased with the result," said U of L head coach Pam Bustin. "I am extremely proud with the way we controlled the game in the first half, we really played very well."
The teams played a scoreless first half with Duke holding a 7-4 advantage in shots and a 1-0 edge in penalty corners. Louisville goalkeeper junior Marie-Claire Heller and Duke keeper Caitlin Williams each had four saves at halftime.
Junior forward Janelle Avila netted an unassisted goal just five minutes into the second half to put Louisville up 1-0.
The Cards held the lead for nearly 20 minutes until Duke's Lauren Amicucci scored on a feed from Laura Suchoski to tie the game at 1-1 at the 58:23 mark.
With just over five minutes remaining in the game Lauren Miller connected on a penalty corner with assists from Marian Dickinson and Brooke Patterson to give the Blue Devils the 2-1 win.
Duke outshot U of L 14-3 in the second half and had six penalty corners to Louisville's one. Avila paced the Cardinals offensively with three shots on goal. Heller had eight stops in the cage for Louisville.
"I was happy with our defensive organization," said Bustin. "With our new defensive backfield and all the work we've been spending on our organization in the backfield these last two weeks, to come out and play the way we did against Duke three-time national runner-up is a great sign for the future."
