Field Hockey Moves to 4-0 with 3-0 Win Over Temple

Sunday, September 7

Durham, N.C.

12:00 PM

Duke University

Temple

Field Hockey Moves to 4-0 with 3-0 Win Over Temple

9/7/2014 3:19:00 PM | Field Hockey

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – The fourth-ranked Duke field hockey team posted its second shutout in as many games, topping Temple by a 3-0 score Sunday, Sept. 7 in non-conference action at Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium. Head coach Pam Bustin's squad improved to 4-0 with the win, marking the program's best start to a season since 2006.

Both teams entered Sunday's contest with unbeaten records, as Temple started the year with victories over Northeastern, No. 10 UMass and Rutgers and the Blue Devils defeated No. 16 Michigan State, Central Michigan and No. 7 Princeton in their first three outings.

“Our goal today was to continue the intensity of our attack and attacking as a team, attacking with numbers,” Bustin said. “Definitely in the first half we were able to sustain that. I think after scoring a couple of goals, we fell off of it a little bit. But with a young team, this was a great opportunity for us to learn how to handle having a lead going into the second half against a very talented team.”

Duke earned three penalty corner opportunities in the opening 15 minutes of play and scored just minutes later as freshman Ashley Kristen fired to the left post. Kristen registered her first collegiate goal on the play while junior midfielder Aileen Johnson notched her team-leading third assist of the season.

The Owls had chances on their scoring end late in the first half, but strong defensive penalty corner play by the Blue Devils kept the visiting squad off the board. Duke added to its lead in the 30th minute when freshman Alexa Mackintire finished on a cross from sophomore Heather Morris, making her the second rookie to tally a goal on the day.

“There really aren't classes on this team – everyone has worked so hard,” said senior forward Jessica Buttinger. “Our strength at Duke is definitely the depth that we have. The freshmen have been amazing and meshed instantly on the field. I know that they're connecting, so it feels really good out there with them.”

In the first 35 minutes, the Blue Devils led 13-3 in shots while penalty corners were even at four apiece.

Duke's defensive unit remained unyielding in the second half, holding Temple scoreless in four more penalty corner situations. Forward Amber Youtz of the Owls made several runs up the field but was turned back by the Blue Devils' backline and redshirt junior goalkeeper Lauren Blazing, who totaled four saves on the afternoon and was credited with her second shutout of the season. Junior back Hannah Barreca also contributed a defensive save in the second half.

Buttinger added a tip-in goal 10 minutes into the second half on a hit by freshman midfielder Alyssa Chillano to round out the scoring for Duke. Buttinger recorded her third tally of the year to lead all Blue Devil scorers and Chillano picked up her second assist in a Duke uniform.

The Blue Devils finished the day with a 17-11 advantage in shots while Temple had the edge in penalty corners, 8-5. Lizzy Millen posted six saves for the Owls in goal, with five coming in the first half.

“Both teams we faced this weekend had great goalkeeping,” Bustin said. “We were prepared for that. We want to do better on our attack penalty corners because that was a struggle on Friday. Our execution was clean today and we were able to put the ball in in different ways.”

Duke now enters its third week of action with a 4-0 mark and having held opponents to just two goals in its four contests. The squad heads to Old Dominion Friday, Sept. 12 for a 3 p.m. matchup before opening ACC play Sunday, Sept. 14 at Wake Forest.

#GoDuke