March 11, 2009
DURHAM, N.C. — The No. 10 Commodores dropped a tough game to the No. 3 Duke Blue Devils 22-16 Wednesday afternoon. Katherine Denkler and Ally Carey each recorded hat tricks, with the former scoring five goals and the latter netting four.
Duke (6-1) opened the game with a quick 4-0 advantage before Carey put VU on the board at the 25:31 mark. The freshman midfielder then netted another goal assisted by Cara Giordano to cut the lead in half a minute later.
The Blue Devils tallied three more goals before Denkler answered, assisted by Allie Frank, at the 17:39 mark. Duke answered again with two goals before Carter Foote netted a score assisted by Giordano two minutes later. Giordano then found the net with an assist by Emily Franke at the 13:25 mark, but Duke responded again.
Duke allowed just one more goal by the ‘Dores for the remainder of the period, while the Blue Devils netted five to build a 14-6 cushion entering halftime.
Both teams traded scores back and forth to start the second period before Vanderbilt chipped away at DU’s lead with back-to-back goals by Carey and Laura Keenan to trim the deficit to 17-11 with 16:31 left to play.
The home team once again responded with three consecutive goals and held off VU for the remainder of the period. The ‘Dores finished, however, with three straight goals in the final 57 seconds, but the rally came too late.
Freshman goalkeeper Natalie Wills, who substituted for starter Rachel Woolford, recorded the loss. Wills made nine saves and scooped up five ground balls in 40-plus minutes of action.
Denkler finished the game with six total points, including an assists, while Carey totaled seven with three assists. Giordano tallied four points on a goal and three assists. She also won five draw controls.
The Commodores (2-3), who played their fourth top-10 opponent in five games, continue their road trip facing Cincinnati at noon CT on Sunday, March 15.
