In tonight's game against North Carolina, the field hockey team has two options-they can either rewrite history or simply allow history to repeat itself. To rewrite history, the Blue Devils would have to upset the fourth-ranked Tar Heels (13-3, 2-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) on their own territory. To repeat history would be to extend the 16 year old losing streak against North Carolina that started back in the 1981 season.
In their first match-up of this season, the Blue Devils suffered a 5-1 loss to the Tar Heels. However, that was back on Sept. 26. Since then, Duke has had time to grow and develop its technique.
"In the past, our biggest goal has been to beat North Carolina and end the [losing] streak," said senior forward Melissa Panasci. "Each time we played North Carolina we played desperately. This time we are focusing less on North Carolina then usual. We are going to play our game and set up the situation so we can get the win."
Although the Blue Devils would like to put an end to the 16 year old losing streak, a win in tonight's match holds more significance then just removing the perpetual monkey from their back. After months of hard work, the team's overall success, at least in the eyes of some, will be partially determined by the outcome of tonight's 7:30 p.m. contest.
"This is the best Duke team I've seen," Panasci said. "Whether or not the people who have us ranked at 19th believe it or not, we are a good team and have had a good season."
The team's spirits are riding high after Sunday's 2-1 victory over Maine (11-6). However, Friday's shutout loss to third-ranked Maryland is not at all forgotten, especially since the Tar Heels beat Maryland in a 4-3 overtime decision just two days after the Blue Devils suffered their loss.
"Coming off the Maine game we weren't as sharp," said Duke coach Liz Tchou. "[In practice] we worked hard on possessing the ball. Hopefully it will carry over into [tonight's] game. The kids know what we need to do. UNC is extremely well-coached and well-skilled. We have to be very controlled and calculated in our movements because in the past we have been overly excited."
With only two games remaining in the regular season, a win tonight against the Tar Heels is a virtual must if the Blue Devil's (10-6, 2-2 in the ACC) hope to receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament next month. In essence, tonight's game and Sunday's game against second-ranked Virginia will determine if the Blue Devils will play on into November or if they will clean out their lockers and start all over again next season.
"We work well under pressure," Panasci said. "We know that a No. 19 ranking is not enough to receive an NCAA bid. Knowing that we have to beat North Carolina, not just to record a win, but to continue on in the season will make us play hard."
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