Del Monte And Freshmen Lead Duke In Exhibitions Against U.S. Lacrosse Teams

Sunday, January 27

Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

12:45 p.m.

Duke University

US Elite Team

Del Monte And Freshmen Lead Duke In Exhibitions Against U.S. Lacrosse Teams

1/27/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse

By: Duke Sports Information

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. ---? The Duke Women's Lacrosse team played their first exhibitions of 2008 on Sunday against the U.S. Developmental and Elite teams at Disney's Wide World of Sports. The Blue Devils tied the Developmental team, 10-10, in their first game and were defeated by the Elite team, 19-4, in their second contest of the U.S. Lacrosse Champions Challenge.

Against the “Devo” squad, the Blue Devils found themselves in a 6-2 hole at halftime. Playing without five team members due to injury and U.S. team commitments, Duke rallied to score six straight goals and take a two-goal lead before the Developmental team tied the score, 10-10, with 1.8 seconds remaining.? Every Blue Devil available to play saw time in the scrimmage.

The star of the game for Duke was junior attacker Megan Del Monte, who tallied four goals and one assist despite battling illness. Freshmen midfielders Sarah Bullard and Emma Hamm, who both played with the U.S. under-19 team that won the world championship last summer, gave a preview of how much they will be able to contribute in their first seasons in Durham. Bullard notched two goals and one assist and Hamm dished out two assists. Senior midfielder Allie Johnson added two goals to the offensive effort and sophomore midfielder Christie Barnes and freshman midfielder Caroline Spearman each scored a goal as well.

“It was exciting to get the chance to play against such a good competition,” said Del Monte. “We've really progressed from fall ball and it was a successful first game.”

The second match against the Elite team would prove to be a much stiffer test for Duke. The Blue Devils fought hard against the methodical attack and relentless pressure defense of the Elites, but lacking a full and healthy squad made it a difficult task. Duke played tough but fell, 19-4.

It would be the freshmen who highlighted the game with the Elite squad, including Bullard, Hamm and attackers Christie Kaestner and Morgan Miller. Kaestner and Miller each contributed one goal and Hamm and Bullard each finished that game with one assist. Johnson added one more goal to give her three for the day, the second most on the team.

Duke was without the services of five players on Sunday. Junior midfielder Jess Adam played on the U.S. Developmental team and senior attacker Caroline Cryer is a member of the U.S. Elite roster. Cryer did not play for the Elite team on Sunday as she is recovering from an off-season surgery. Junior midfielder Carolyn Davis, junior defender Kimberly Pastrana and sophomore defender Chrisi Casey also missed out on the action due to injuries but are expected to be ready once the regular season begins in February.

“It was a really positive experience for us,” said head coach Kerstin Kimel. “We showed a lot of poise and depth despite being without several players and having a few more who played through sickness. The game against the Elite team was a great opportunity for us because it will be the best team that we face all season, so it really strengthens us to play our schedule.”

Former Blue Devil Katie Chrest also plays on the Elite team. Chrest is a 2006 Duke graduate and the 2005 Tewaaraton Trophy winner. She scored two goals in two exhibitions on Sunday, including one against her alma mater.

The Blue Devils will next play a weekend of exhibitions on Feb. 9 and 10. Duke will take on England's national team at 11 a.m. in Koskinen Stadium on Feb. 9 and play a day of scrimmages in Chapel Hill in the South of the Border Tournament on Feb. 10. The regular season opens up at home on Friday Feb. 15 when No. 16 Denver comes calling at 6 p.m. Duke then makes a quick trip to Dallas, Texas, for a neutral site matchup with Stanford on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 3 p.m. ET.

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