Tar Heels Slip Past Duke, 7-6, in ACC Semifinals

Friday, April 29

Blacksburg, Va.

5:00 PM

Duke University

North Carolina (Semifinals)

Tar Heels Slip Past Duke, 7-6, in ACC Semifinals

4/29/2016 8:28:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

WLAX vs. UNC: Highlights Photo Gallery Season Statistics Box Score

By: Duke Sports Information

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Facing North Carolina for the second time in as many weeks, the 13th-ranked Duke women's lacrosse team held the ACC regular season champion to a season-low scoring output but came up just short in a 7-6 tournament semifinal loss Friday at Lane Stadium.

The Blue Devil defense, led once again by the play of senior goalkeeper Kelsey Duryea, turned in a solid performance after surrendering 16 goals in last week's meeting with the Tar Heels. Duke (10-8) also controlled the draw behind seven wins by freshman Olivia Jenner, but costly turnovers down the stretch ended the squad's tournament run in the semifinals for the second consecutive year.

“Our defense really came ready to battle,” said head coach Kerstin Kimel. “I'm so proud of their effort. I think that they really held North Carolina in check. That was the biggest thing, and we competed really hard the entire game. I'm just super proud of our kids' effort. Unfortunately there were too many mistakes to win a game against a top-five opponent.”

Jenner propelled Duke to a quick start, winning two of the game's first three draws and getting on the board less than 30 seconds in. Fellow rookie Ella Bonafede also struck early and Jenner followed with a second tally to lift the Blue Devils to a 3-0 advantage inside the first five minutes.

Backed by the play of goalkeeper Megan Ward, the Tar Heels chipped away at the lead and knotted the contest on an Ela Hazar goal with 10:02 remaining in the half. Play then went back-and-forth with both Ward and Duke's Duryea holding strong until sophomore Kyra Harney notched a free position goal with 10 seconds left on the clock.

A fifth save by Duryea solidified the 4-3 lead for the Blue Devils heading into the locker room at the break.

Jenner completed a hat trick two minutes into the second period before North Carolina's Marie McCool countered to keep the margin at one. The teams continued to swap markers, with senior Maddy Acton and McCool both converting at the eight-meter. The Tar Heels netted two more tallies to garner their first lead at 7-6.

Strong play by Duryea kept the deficit at one, but Duke struggled on its next few clearing attempts. North Carolina ran down the clock before surrendering a turnover with just over a minute to play, giving the Blue Devils an opportunity. However, the squad was unable to generate the equalizer in the waning seconds.

Duryea finished with 13 saves and Ward seven, though the Tar Heels held a 21-9 advantage in ground balls. North Carolina also led in shots, 25-18, while Duke controlled the draw, 10-5.

Jenner turned in a hat trick to lead all goal scorers for the contest. McCool spearheaded the Tar Heel attack with two goals and an assist.

“[Jenner] was so competitive on the draw, whether she was winning it to herself or putting it in a place where our people on the circle or around the restraining line could win it,” Kimel said. “I just thought she did an unbelievable job and was super poised for a freshman out there today.”

North Carolina advances to Sunday's conference title match, where it will face the winner of a second semifinal between Syracuse and Notre Dame.

The Blue Devils will await the 2016 NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Selection Show, slated for Sunday, May at 9 p.m. on NCAA.com.

--- NOTES ---
- With her fourth draw control of the contest, freshman Olivia Jenner surpassed Emma Hamm ('12) for the program single season record.
- Jenner also turned in the second hat trick of her career and first since the Blue Devils' season opener (Feb. 4).
- The Blue Devil defense limited North Carolina to just seven goals, matching the team's season-low output. The Tar Heels were also held to seven scores in a one-goal loss to top-ranked Maryland (Feb. 27).
- Senior goalkeeper Kelsey Duryea reached double digits in the saves category for the seventh time on the season.

#GoDuke