Second-Half Goals Push Blue Devils Past BC, 2-1

Friday, October 9

Newton, Mass.

6:00 PM

Duke University

Boston College

Blazing Earns Third Academic All-America Selection

Second-Half Goals Push Blue Devils Past BC, 2-1

10/9/2015 7:18:00 PM | Field Hockey

By: Duke Sports Information

NEWTON, Mass. – Redshirt senior goalkeeper Lauren Blazing recorded eight saves, including two on a final penalty corner attempt by Boston College, to propel fourth-ranked Duke to a 2-1 victory over the Eagles Friday evening. The Blue Devils evened their ACC ledger at 2-2 and improved to 9-3 overall with the road win.

After 10th-ranked Boston College (6-6, 0-4 ACC) struck first in the 40th minute, the Blue Devils played solid defense to keep the Eagles off the board the rest of the way despite nine more second-half shots by the home team. Offensively, Duke received a pair of goals in response to the deficit in the come-from-behind win.

Blazing and the Eagles' Leah Settipane both posted saves inside the first 12 minutes but the match remained scoreless through the half. Blazing finished the opening period with five stops against seven shots by Boston College and, along with the defensive unit, weathered two penalty corners. Sophomore back Alyssa Chillano registered her ACC-leading fourth defensive save of the season on a corner in the 28th minute to help maintain the clean sheet.

The Blue Devils notched three shots in the first 35 minutes, with senior midfielder Aileen Johnson placing the lone shot on goal.

“We definitely did not come out on our game,” said head coach Pam Bustin. “We came out a bit flat, a little disconnected. We were just working on getting that connection going while holding off an attacking BC team. I'm proud that we were able to defend and play our game on the defensive end in the first half.”

The Eagles broke through early in the second period when Emily McCoy found twin sister Eryn in front of the cage for a score. Duke was able to counter less than five minutes later, capitalizing on its first penalty corner opportunity of the game. Sophomore Stephanie Pezzuti fired an initial shot, and after a save by Settipane, senior Amanda Kim put back the rebound to erase the deficit. The goal was Kim's first of the year.

Both teams penetrated the circle over the next few possessions, but it was the Blue Devils who took the lead on a pass from Chillano to sophomore forward Ainsley Gill. Gill's score in the 56th minute marked her second of the season, while Chillano picked up her first assist of the year on the play.

“I'm proud of how the kids executed on corners,” Bustin said. “They were really sharp and really on point. I was happy that they took advantage of the opportunities. We did a much better job of holding our attacking opportunities the second half.”

Trailing by a 2-1 score, Boston College continued to attack in the waning minutes. The squad pulled Settipane from the cage with a little over a minute remaining and earned a penalty corner just before the end of regulation. Emily McCoy and AshLeigh Sebia both fired shots on the final attempt that were turned away by Blazing, and the defensive stand preserved the 2-1 victory for Duke.

Blazing's eight saves were her second highest total on the season. Settipane had four stops for the Eagles in the loss.

“Lauren really kept us in the game,” Bustin said. “She made some key saves and jumped on things that were out in front of the cage. And our defense was able to get the ball and clear it. We tried to just keep things simple.”

Boston College finished with a 17-8 advantage in shots, though the Blue Devils placed six of their eight looks on goal. The Eagles also led in penalty corners, 3-2.

Duke stays in Boston through the weekend, taking on No. 17 Boston University Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Terriers' New Balance Field. The match will be streamed on the Patriot League Network.

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