The 11th-ranked women's lacrosse team, already on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament, found itself in the last place it wanted to be at halftime of its match against unranked Boston College yesterday: trailing 6-5. With only 12 squads making the tourney, and Duke's chances hampered by the fact that it's fourth out of four teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Blue Devils could not afford to lose to the Eagles.
So in the second half, Duke (10-5) quickly eliminated any chance of an upset. It scored eight unanswered goals to open the frame and went on to defeat Boston College (4-10) 16-9 at Alumni Field in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Sophomore attacker Tricia Martin led the way for the Blue Devils with six goals and two assists. Martin now has 50 goals and 20 assists on the season.
The Eagles' Danielle Wood scored three goals in the second half, but by then the Blue Devils were comfortably in control. Wood finished with four goals and two assists to pace Boston College.
Kendra Basner and Courtney Rogers each scored twice for Duke, and Karen Sutton, Kate Soulier, Keri Dunn, Amy Noble, Kristin Seith and Meghan McLaughlin added a goal apiece. Soulier also had two assists, while Claire Finn and Kristin Lonergan each had one. Shannon Chaney stopped 10 shots in goal; backup Erin Miller also saw time between the pipes and picked up one save.
Alexandra Doyle scored two times in the first half to help put the Eagles in the lead. Maggie Berkery, Carrie Everett and Emily Ryan also tallied goals for Boston College, with Honor Crowther and Tina Margetis posting assists. Goalie Melissa Cole matched Chaney with 10 saves.
The Blue Devils hit the road again on Tuesday, facing No. 8 Dartmouth at 2 p.m. in their final game of the regular season and their final chance to show the NCAA Selection Committee that they belong in the postseason. Duke had lost four out of five before beating Richmond on Wednesday.
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