After many months filled with tough practices, teams always look forward to playing in their home stadium for the first time of the year.
For the No. 2 Blue Devils, this weekend is finally that time on the calendar.
On Friday, Duke hosts Richmond (0-1) at 7 p.m. at Koskinen Stadium as the Blue Devils (2-0) aim for their ninth consecutive win in their home opener. They return to Koskinen Sunday for their first top-10 matchup of the season against No. 10 William & Mary (1-0) at 3 p.m.
After a rigorous preseason schedule and a trip to Denver, Colo. last weekend, Duke is relieved to have returned to Durham to play on its home turf.
"We're really excited about the season home opener," head coach Kerstin Kimel said. "One thing about being a spring sport is that the year can seem long, but now that the time has come, we can't wait to get out there on Friday night."
The Blue Devils will have the opportunity to play under the lights Friday, as the team's pair of matches is being played in conjunction with the men's lacrosse team's weekend games. The doubleheader makes the weekend even more special for Kimel's team.
"We are all really excited to come out on a Friday night," senior captain Christina Germinario said. "We always love playing at Koskinen, and I think everyone is hyped for the game."
Germinario-who, last year, played an instrumental role in a defense that allowed just 212 goals, seven shy of the school's record for fewest goals allowed-should have her fellow defenders ready to shut down the Spiders' and Tribe's offenses.
In addition to returning to their home turf, the Blue Devils can assign additional importance to Friday's match, which will serve as a Friends of Jaclyn game. The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, which pairs sick children with local high school and college teams, has expanded throughout the United States, and Richmond has joined Duke in its effort to promote the organization's cause.
The opportunity to promote the foundation's mission, coupled with the prospects of the home opener, leaves the Blue Devils anxious to get on the field Friday.
"This weekend will be good," Kimel said. "We're glad to be home, we've had a long offseason, so it's great to be back in Durham."
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