University of Louisville
Duke
Duke Edges Field Hockey 3-2 in Double Overtime
August 28, 2010 | Field Hockey
Aug. 28, 2010
EAST LANSING, Mich. - - Tenth-ranked Duke edged No. 13 Louisville 3-2 in double overtime in both teams' season opener Saturday afternoon at the Champions Challenge hosted by Michigan State. The Cardinals (0-1) will face Central Michigan (0-1) Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in the consolation game.
The teams played through a scoreless first half which did not see a shot or penalty corner from either side.
In the opening minutes of the second half, Louisville came up empty on the first penalty corner of the game when senior Tuli Lim's shot was stopped by Duke goalkeeper Samantha Nelson. Duke opened the scoring when Emmie Le Marchand connected on an assist from Grace Christus just 2:40 into the second half.
The Cards answered at the 45:36 mark when sophomore Amber Thomas sent a shot past Nelson into the middle of the cage to even the score at 1-1.
Lim pulled the Cardinals ahead 2-1 when she converted on a penalty corner assist from senior Rachel Hollenbach at the 57:59 mark.
Three minutes later, the Blue Devils responded on Susan Ferger's first goal of the game, knotting the score at 2-2 with less than 10 minutes remaining.
The Cardinals had a chance score in the final minute of regulation when they were awarded a penalty corner, but senior Karah Nall's shot was blocked to send the game into overtime. In the second half, the Cards held a 7-6 edge in shots and a 7-2 penalty corner advantage.
With the field cut down to seven players per side, the teams battled through the first 15 minute sudden-victory overtime period in which U of L outshot Duke 4-2 and out-cornered them 2-0 with Louisville's Erin Conrad posting two saves and Nelson picking up one.
The second overtime started with two quick shots from Cardinal senior Nicole Youman, but both were turned back by Nelson. Another Louisville corner attempt was thwarted. The Blue Devils came up with the ball and two minutes later, Ferger delivered the gamewinner at the 89:29 mark.
In the game, Louisville outshot Duke 13-10 and held a 10-2 advantage in corners. U of L's Conrad (0-1) posted four saves in 89:29 minutes, while Duke's Nelson (1-0) had five stops.
Duke (1-0) will face No. 7 Michigan State (1-0) in the Champions Challenge championship game. The Spartans picked up their first win with a 4-2 victory over Central Michigan in the opening game of the tournament Saturday.
