The William and Mary field hockey team finished out its toughest-ever season-opening stretch on Sunday, falling to No. 3 Duke by a 3-0 count.  The Tribe is 1-7 on the year, while the Blue Devils improved to 7-1 overall.

Box Score

Playing its fifth ranked opponent in its first eight matches, W&M out-worked Duke around the goal in the first half, earning three penalty corners to just two for the Blue Devils.  The defense also held very well, allowing only two early goals on nine shots.  Junior Meredith Savage (Virginia Beach, Va.) stood tall in the goal, making five saves in the first half.

After the break, the Tribe continued to keep Duke off the board while giving the offense a chance.  Senior Kelsea Hull (Fredericksburg, Va.) made her second defensive save of the year on a corner in the 42nd minute, and Savage made three more stops of her own in addition to a number of gutsy charges to break up attacks before the Blue Devils could shoot.  Duke would add a final goal in the 68th minute on a bang-bang play in a scrum, setting the final margin.

William and Mary heads out on the road next weekend, with a trip through western North Carolina.  The Tribe will play at Appalachian State on Friday, Sept. 26 at 3 p.m., and take on Davidson Sunday at 1 p.m.