Duke Drops Overtime Battle to No. 5 Liberty, 3-2

Sunday, March 21

Durham, N.C.

1 p.m.

Duke University

(3-9)

Liberty

(9-1)

LIBERTY

Duke

Duke Drops Overtime Battle to No. 5 Liberty, 3-2

3/21/2021 5:38:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. – The 12th-ranked Duke field hockey team dropped a heartbreaking double overtime battle to fifth-ranked Liberty, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon at Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium.

The game marked the fourth straight contest between Duke and Liberty to have gone into overtime. Despite starting a player down in the first overtime period, the Blue Devils (3-9) had numerous quality opportunities with five shots – four of which were on target. Sophomore Josie Varney nearly put it away for Duke, but the goal wasn't counted as it deflected off a Blue Devil's leg. Liberty (9-1) had a goal overturned in the final period, but the Flames ultimately won the game off a corner in the 77th minute of play.

Sophomore Hannah Miller led Duke offensively with a goal on five shots, including three on goal. She got the scoring started for the Blue Devils, tallying her third score of the season in the first minute of the game. Liberty's goalkeeper kicked the ball in an attempt to clear the play, but Miller was there to get the rebound and drilled a shot into the bottom left corner of the cage for an early 1-0 Duke lead.

Freshman Darcy Bourne converted off the penalty corner at 3:23, scoring off the drag that was deflected by the keeper into the cage to expand the Blue Devils' lead to 2-0. The goal was the sixth of her rookie campaign while seniors Lexi Davidson and Lily Posternak assisted on the goal.

Liberty got on the board in the 12th minute, finding the back of the cage off a corner to close in on Duke's lead, 2-1. Following a scoreless second quarter, the Flames tied the contest at 40:45 and kept the Blue Devils at bay for the final 19:15 to set up the double overtime finish.

Duke outshot Liberty, 17-11, with 14 of its looks coming on frame. Seven Blue Devils registered shots in the game as Miller (5), Bourne (3), graduate student Eva Nunnink, sophomore Kelsey Reznick (2), Varney (2), senior Libby Thompson (1) and junior Noor van de Laar (1) all got in on the action.

Freshman Piper Hampsch made three saves while Liberty's Irigoyen Iritxity racked up 12.

The Blue Devils conclude their three-game homestand next Saturday, March 27, with an ACC matchup versus Syracuse. The game is slated for a 12 p.m. start and will be available to watch on ACC Network Extra.

#GoDuke