The rain was pouring down in Charlottesville on Saturday, where No. 5 Virginia poured in six unanswered goals during the second half to down the women's lacrosse team 11-4.
Four minutes into the final period, Duke (4-7, 0-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) pulled within two goals of the Cavaliers, as freshman attacker Tricia Martin scored to make it 5-3.
But Virginia (10-3, 1-2) responded less than a minute later with a score by junior attacker Beth Potter, which kicked off a 6-0 spurt by UVa to put the game away. Potter added two more goals and an assist during the run to account for her game-high four points.
Duke was without sophomore defender Sandy Johnston, and lost freshman defender Keri Dunn early in the match to a lower leg bruise. In addition, Martin and sophomore attacker Kendra Basner have been slowed by nagging injuries. A characteristically deep Cavalier team was able to wear down undermanned Duke on the rain-drenched field.
"They had the luxury of bringing in lots of fresh legs," Duke coach Kerstin Kimel said. "They're very powerful and were able to beat us in transition. We're not as quick."
The Blue Devils got on the board first when freshman defender Emily Hickman converted a free-position goal with 24:34 left in the opening half.
Virginia sophomore attacker Mia Mooney tied the score a minute later, sparking UVa's first run of the game.
The Cavaliers tallied five unanswered goals-including three over a span of 1:33-before Duke sophomore attacker Meghan McLaughlin goal made it 5-2 at halftime. Virginia senior attacker Kate Evans collected two of her three goals in the spurt.
"They were successful in challenging us and took advantage of some of our lapses," Duke freshman goalie Shannon Chaney said. "They're a great team and have some great shooters who can go to the goal and score."
The Cavaliers outshot the Blue Devils 34-16 on the day and held a 45-23 advantage in ground balls. Chaney collected 18 saves in the match.
Kim lauded Chaney's play, and cited Martin and junior midfielder Lorrie Meyercord for stepping up their games. The coach said she was pleased with her team's defensive effort, evidenced by its success in creating turnovers.
Kimel was concerned that the Blue Devils struggled with their basic skills and their decision-making on the attack, both of which should become the focus of Duke's practices this week.
"Our catching and throwing were not up to par," she said. "The conditions were part of it. We're a young team and I don't think we've ever played in weather like that, and it made it very difficult. But it's not an excuse."
Saturday's match completed the Blue Devils' ACC schedule, with the second-year Duke squad going winless against three teams currently in the top five.
The Blue Devils will head back up to Charlottesville next weekend to play top-ranked Maryland in the first round of the ACC Tournament. But Duke will first host Virginia Tech Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Kimel said the Hokies have a reputation for rough play, so the young Blue Devils need to maintain their composure and execute their game plan.
"If we play like we did against UVa, we'll have a good chance to win," Chaney said. "I think we're the better team if we do everything we know we can do and settle into our offensive plays."
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