Duke’s Comeback Effort Falls Short in the NCAA Quarterfinals

Thursday, May 15

Gainesville, Fla.

2:30 p.m.

Duke University

14-6

Florida

20-2

Duke

Florida

Photo by: Nat LeDonne / Duke Athletics

Duke’s Comeback Effort Falls Short in the NCAA Quarterfinals

5/15/2025 6:13:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 15 Blue Devils went on a six-goal run that stretched from the end of the third period into the final frame, cutting fourth-seeded Florida's 11-2 lead down to 11-9, but the Gators held on to secure the triumph over Duke in the Women's Lacrosse NCAA Championship quarterfinals Thursday inside Ronald R. Disney Stadium.

Duke finished the season with a 14-6 overall record while Florida improved to 20-2.

During the Blue Devils' comeback effort, Duke's defense held Florida scoreless for 24:30. However, earlier in the game, Florida was able to build it's lead after holding the Blue Devils scoreless for over 15 minutes and going on a four-goal run.

How it Happened

The Gators took an early lead, as Florida netted three goals within the first seven minutes.
Duke didn't convert its first four shots, but at the 4:35 mark, sophomore Caitlin Barrett buried the ball into the back of the cage, cutting Florida's lead to 3-1.
Florida responded to the Blue Devils' goal with a two-goal run, closing out the first frame with a 5-1 lead.
The Blue Devils opened the second quarter with four shots, but Gators keeper Elyse Finelle made three saves to keep Duke off the scoreboard.
Florida pushed to a 6-1 lead, scoring with just over 10 to play in the first half.
Duke continued with the offensive effort, but Forte made two saves on Duke's three shots.
With 6:30 left to play, the Gators extended their lead to a 7-1 lead with a goal.
Redshirt freshman Lena Doreen ended Duke's scoring drought, which spanned over 15 minutes, as she scored her free-position shot to cut Florida's lead to 7-2.
Florida closed the first half with two more goals, sending the Gators into the break with a 9-2 advantage.
The Gators opened the third period with a two-goal spurt, stretching the lead to 11-2. Florida's goal at the 9:30 mark would be the last they would score for the rest of the game.
The momentum shifted in the Blue Devils' favor, as Duke went on a seven-goal run that spanned 12:42 over the third and fourth quarters.
Duke scored three goals in 2:55, cutting Florida's lead to 11-5, to end the third period. Graduate Callie Hem scored her first marker of the day with 4:10 remaining in the third quarter, and Barrett netted a goal off her free-position shot at the 2:25 mark. Freshman Maddie MacDonald capped the scoring with 1:15 remaining in the third period, sending Duke into the final frame trailing 11-5.
The Blue Devils continued their scoring run, slotting in four straight goals in the fourth quarter, pulling within two, 11-9. Less than a minute into the fourth period, senior Mattie Shearer scored off a senior Carly Bernstein assist. Three minutes later, Bernstein fed Hem, who used a quick stick to make it a four-goal game.
Redshirt sophomore Eva Pronti dished a pass to Bernstein, who slotted the ball in the back of the cage with under 10 minutes to play. Bernstein scored her second goal of the day off a sophomore Bella Goodwin assist to put the game within two scores with 6:28 remaining.
Duke had three more looks at goal in the final six minutes with Hem taking the final shot for Duke with under a minute to play. The first shot hit the pipe, the second sailed wide and Hem's was saved by the Florida goalie to send the Gators to the NCAA Semifinals with an 11-9 win.

Notes

The Blue Devils finish the season with a 14-6 overall record.
Duke's record falls to 7-10 when competing in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship.
The Blue Devils' drop to a 29-23 overall record on the big stage.
Duke sports a 1-1 record when playing NCAA Championship games in Florida.
Duke owns a 1-1 ledger against Florida – all matchups have been on the big stage.
The Blue Devils and Gators both recorded 29 shots.
Bernstein, Hem and Barrett each netted two goals.
Bernstein dished out a team–best two dimes.
Pronti's 13 tournament assists finished tied at fourth place in NCAA Championship history.
Hem's 17 tournament goals tied for sixth place in the NCAA Championship records book.