DURHAM, N.C. – Senior goalkeeper Alexandra de Jesus recorded 19 saves, the second-highest total of her career, as William & Mary field hockey fell to No. 6 Duke, 7-0, in its season opener Friday at Jack Katz Stadium.
De Jesus played all 60 minutes in goal for the Tribe (0-1), turning away 19 of Duke's 26 shots on goal. She was especially busy in the second quarter, making eight saves, before adding five in the third and four in the fourth.
W&M generated its best offensive pressure early in the contest, earning three consecutive penalty corners during a 27-second stretch in the first quarter. Lauren McManus and Kate Longo each had attempts blocked before Darcy Kopsinis put a shot on goal that was stopped by Duke goalkeeper Kaiya Chepow.
Duke (1-0) broke through at the 7:32 mark on a goal from Sofia Fidalgo Schioppa before Ashley Stockdale doubled the advantage less than three minutes later. The Blue Devils added two more goals in the second quarter to take a 4-0 lead into halftime.
De Jesus continued to turn away Duke opportunities after the break, making five saves in the third quarter as W&M limited the Blue Devils to one goal in the period. Juliette Schulten scored off an Alaina McVeigh assist with 2:26 remaining in the third to extend the Duke lead to 5-0.
The Blue Devils added two goals in the fourth quarter, with Maggie Kondrath scoring at the 52:19 mark before Schulten added her second of the afternoon with three minutes remaining. Stockdale and Schulten each finished with two goals, while McVeigh tallied a goal and two assists.
Duke finished with a 37-3 advantage in shots and a 15-3 edge in penalty corners. Kopsinis registered the Tribe's lone shot on goal.
W&M returns to Williamsburg for a pair of home matches at Busch Field next weekend. The Tribe hosts Longwood in its home opener Friday, Sept. 4, at 5 p.m., before welcoming VCU on Sunday, Sept. 6, at 1 p.m. for Senior Day.
