Spider Hockey Edged By No. 6 Duke Saturday Night

Saturday, November 1

Crenshaw Field (Richmond, Va.)

5:00 PM

University of Richmond

(9-9)

No. 6 Duke

(12-5)

DUKE

Richmond

11/01/2014 | Field Hockey

Box Score

By: Richmond Athletics

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond field hockey team was edged by the No. 6-ranked Duke Blue Devils, 2-0, Saturday night at Crenshaw Field.

"Today was a really great opportunity for us to kind of have that one final game of preparation before we go into final game of the season that is a must win for us,” commented Richmond head coach Gina Lucido. “So tonight was a really great opportunity to play a very good program and see how we can match up on many levels.”

Richmond (9-9) held nationally ranked Duke (12-5) to just one goal in each half and just six shots overall.

The Spiders came out and created the first scoring opportunity of the day 10 minutes into the first half. Junior Taylor Deitrick fired the first shot on goal but the Duke goalkeeper was there to make the stop.

At the 29:10 mark, Duke was awarded a penalty stroke that slid past the Richmond goalkeeper Kelley Wentling for the first goal of the game.

The Spiders fired another shot on goal that was stopped five minutes before the half and the two teams went into the break with the Blue Devils up 1-0.

After Wentling stopped the first corner of the day at the 49:51 mark, she was unable to save the next one 20 seconds later and Duke took the 2-0 lead with under 20 minutes to go.

With 10 minutes remaining, Richmond subbed Wentling for an extra attacker and created four opportunities, including two corners and two shots but the Duke defense remained strong.

"We know that we can compete and I think capitalize against any team in the country,” added Lucido. “I think the resilience factor in these young women have proven time and time again that after huge set backs that they are undaunted. We come back and we do things that are better. It is just such a credit to them that they really believe in their future.”

The Spiders will return to Crenshaw Field tomorrow, Nov. 2 to host Davidson for its regular season finale at 2 p.m. Prior to start time, the six Spider seniors will be honored for Senior Day.