Linton Nets Game-Winner In OT To Lift Duke Over JMU In NCAA First Round

Saturday, November 11

Durham, N.C.

11 a.m.

Duke University

James Madison (First Round)

Linton Nets Game-Winner In OT To Lift Duke Over JMU In NCAA First Round

11/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. - The fourth-ranked Duke Blue Devils defeated 13th-ranked James Madison in overtime on Saturday at Williams Field in NCAA Tournament first round action. Senior Hilary Linton netted two goals in the victory including the game-winner.

Duke went up early as sophomore Marian Dickinson scored her 18th goal of the season five minutes and 41 seconds into the game on an assist from senior Cara-Lynn Lopresti. The assist was Lopresti's seventh of the season.

The final 10 minutes of the half would prove to be full of excitement. Junior goalie Caitlin Williams picked up a key save with five minutes remaining in the half, as James Madison's Baillie Versfeld took a shot off penalty corner opportunity. A second JMU penalty corner came almost immediately after, and was broken up by senior Amy Stopford.

Williams then came out of the cage to break up a fast break by JMU's Meghan Bain and Melissa Stefaniak, as she continued her stellar goalie play.

Duke received its first penalty corner opportunity with 45 seconds remaining in the half, but the play was broken up by a JMU defender. Bain broke down the field, but shot wide left as the whistle sounded and Duke would go into the halftime break with a 1-0 advantage.

James Madison got on the board six minutes into the second half, as Versfeld netted her fifth goal of the season on an assist from Stefaniak to tie the score at one apiece.

Duke received its second penalty corner of the game soon after and Stopford got off a shot but JMU keeper Kelsey Cutchins made an impressive save, as the tie score would remain.

Another Duke penalty corner opportunity would present itself with 18 minutes remaining in the contest, and senior Hilary Linton tipped in a rebounded shot by Amy Stopford to put the Blue Devils up 2-1. The goal was Linton's fourth of the season.

James Madison retaliated when Ashley Walls found the net on an assist from Versfeld and tied the score at two a piece with 12 minutes remaining. The score would remain tied through regulation, as overtime was forced.

Three minutes and 22 seconds into overtime, Linton netted her fifth goal of the season in her first double-goal game of the season to give Duke the 3-2 victory. Three of Linton's five goals this season have been game-winners.

"We were very excited to be at home," said Duke head coach Beth Bozman. "One of our goals this year was to start winning again at home and I think that was pretty successful. I think we feel a little inspired to be here."

Duke, playing in its fifth extra-minutes game of the season, out-shot James Madison, 17-9, and narrowly out-cornered JMU, 8-7. Williams picked up two saves on the day, while Cutchins recorded six. Duke is 3-2 in overtime games, and is 9-2 at home this season.

James Madison ends its season with an overall record of 15-8, while Duke stands at 15-5 heading into NCAA quarterfinal play. The Blue Devils will meet fifth-ranked Ohio State, who defeated 12th-ranked California, 3-1, on Saturday afternoon, on Sunday at 2 p.m.

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