Nov. 3, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Third-seeded Duke topped Virginia, 5-1, in the nightcap of the first day of action at the Atlantic Coast Conference Field Hockey Championship on Thursday.

Julie Tromp had a pair of goals for the Blue Devils (15-3), and Cara-Lynn Lopresti and ACC Offensive Player of the Year Katie Grant each added a goal and two assists. Virginia's Lindsay O'Bannon spoiled Duke's shutout bid in the 70th minute of play.

Duke nearly got on the board 13th minute, but Virginia goalkeeper Katherine Blair made an excellent kick save on Amy Stopford's penalty stroke to keep the game scoreless.

The Blue Devils found the back of the net just moments later, however, as Marian Dickinson took a thru ball from Laura Suchoski and drove it home for the 1-0 Duke lead.

Duke added another goal in the 22nd minute, when Lopresti scored unassisted on a breakaway.

Tromp then added both of her goals after halftime, scoring in the 47th and 58th minutes. Both came off penalty corners, with Grant pushing out and Lopresti taking the stick stop.

Grant then added her goal in the 61st minute to cap the Duke scoring.

Virginia (8-11) kept fighting, and broke through with just 19.6 seconds remaining in the game. O'Bannon pushed the ball up the field and penetrated the Duke defense, and after drawing out Blue Devil keeper Christy Morgan, was able to put the ball away for her 17th goal of the season.

Duke outshot Virginia, 23-5, and had 12 penalty corners to the Cavaliers' three. Virginia had a 10-0 advantage in goalkeeper saves, with Blair earning all 10.

The Blue Devils advance to the semifinals of the tournament, where they will face third-ranked and second-seeded Maryland on Friday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m. Maryland is the host of the 2005 ACC Championship.