DURHAM, N.C. (Feb.
20, 2011) - The William and Mary lacrosse team outscored fourth-ranked Duke
by four goals in the second half but fell to the Blue Devils, 14-11, in its
season opener on Sunday afternoon in Durham, N.C.
Senior Maggie Anderson totaled a career-high six goals, just
two shy of the school record, while senior Ashley Holofcener nearly equaled a
single-game school record with a career-best five assists to go with a goal. Senior
Grace Golden also posted an outstanding all-around effort with three goals,
four ground balls and three caused turnovers.
Despite trailing, 10-3, at halftime, the Tribe utilized a
pair of 3-0 second half runs and held the Blue Devils to just one goal in the
final 20 minutes to rally back. Senior goalkeeper Emily Geary came up big in
the final stanza, as she posted five saves in the second half. The Tribe's
defensive effort marked the first time in three games this season that Duke has
been held to less than 20 goals, as it entered the contest averaging 20.5 goals
per game.
Things looked good for the Tribe early, as Holofcener
assisted on scores by Golden and Anderson to give W&M a 2-1 advantage in
the opening 4:02.
However, Duke responded with four unanswered goals to build a
5-2 advantage with 20:54 showing. The Blue Devils utilized a balanced attack,
as four different players recorded scores during the run.
Anderson's second goal of the day halted DU's run at 16:09,
and the College held Duke without a goal for a span of more than 15 minutes to
keep the margin a 5-3 for much of the half.
The Blue Devils closed the opening stanza with a 5-0 run in
the final 5:27, however, and took a 10-3 lead into the locker room.
W&M held a 12-10 advantage in ground balls at the break,
but DU outshot the Tribe, 14-6, and won 11 of the 14 draws.
Although DU tallied the opening score of the second half,
W&M responded with three unanswered goals to cut the lead to 11-6 with
23:34 showing. Senior Molly Wannen scored once during the run, while Anderson
found the back of the cage on back-to-back goals off assists from Holofcener.
While Duke registered a pair of goals to push the margin to
13-6, the Tribe allowed just one more score in the final 20:24. During that
final stretch, W&M put five goals on the board as Anderson and Golden both
tallied two goals apiece while Holofcener also notched a score.
The Tribe will return to action next weekend when it hosts
Richmond for its home opener on Sunday at 1 p.m.
