Upcoming Event: Field Hockey versus Louisville on October 10, 2025 at 6 p.m.

10/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
DURHAM, N.C. - The fourth-ranked Blue Devil field hockey team improved to 13-4 on Saturday with a 1-0 win over 12th-ranked California at Williams Field.
The majority of the first half saw most of the action occur at midfield, as both defenses fought hard to contain the opposing offensive units. Cal got off five shots in the period, but junior Caitlin Williams was solid for the Blue Devils in goal, picking up two saves in the initial period.
After a scoreless first half, Duke's offense came out ready to play, as the Blue Devils would tally eight shots, compared to their total of two in the first half. Sophomore Laura Suchoski would net the only goal of the game at the 59:05 mark, as she slammed a shot past Cal keeper Veronica Sykes on a pass from junior Rachel Link to give Duke a 1-0 lead. The goal was Suchoski's third of the season.
The Golden Bears equaled their first half mark of five shots in the second, but could not find the net, as the Blue Devils came away with a 1-0 victory.
“We played a better second half than we did the first half,” said Duke head coach Beth Bozman. “We knew Cal was going to be dangerous and we had a game plan for them, and we executed that game plan more in the second half.”
In a statistically even game, Williams and Sykes each recorded three saves while each team got off 10 shot attempts on the day. Cal, now 12-4 on the season, outcornered Duke, 5-3.
Duke leads the all-time series with California, 3-0, as this season's meeting marks the first time the two teams have met since 1994.
The Blue Devils will close out the regular season at home on Oct. 28 versus No. 10 Virginia (11-4, 1-2 ACC) at Williams Field at 1 p.m. Postseason play will begin with the ACC Tournament, held on Nov. 2-5 in Chapel Hill.
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