May 16, 2010
DURHAM, N.C. — Lindsay Gilbride scored her fifth goal with one second on the clock to give No. 7 Duke a 16-15 victory over No. 10 Vanderbilt in NCAA Tournament women’s lacrosse first round action Sunday at Koskinen Stadium.
In a game that featured nine ties and five lead changes, the Commodores held a 15-13 lead with seven minutes to play. But the Blue Devils would rally to tie the game at the 3:00 mark on a goal by Sarah Bullard, who then assisted Gilbride on the game-winner.
Vanderbilt sophomores Ally Carey and Alex Priddy scored four goals each to pace the Commodore attack, which connected on 58 percent of its shots. Senior Carter Foote recorded her seventh hat-trick of the season, with junior Katherine Denkler (2), senior Sarah Downing and sophomore Kendall Pittinger all contributing goals.
In the Commodore goal, sophomore Natalie Wills had double-digit saves for the ninth time this season, stopping 12 Duke shots. The Blue Devils shot 47 percent on the day.
Duke held a 19-13 advantage in draw controls led by five from Caroline Spearm. Carey had four for the Commodores to go along with three caused turnovers. Carey’s 63 draw controls this season breaks her own school record from a year ago.
With three assists on Sunday, Downing set the Vanderbilt record for assists in a season with 34. Already VU’s career leader in the category, she capped off a stellar collegiate career with 88 total assists. Downing also ranks second all-time in points (234) and third in goals (146).
The teams were tied at 4-4 midway through the first half before Duke scored four straight to take an 8-4 lead. Vanderbilt closed the half with a pair of goals and opened the second stanza with four more for a 10-8 advantage. After another four-goal flurry by the Blue Devils, the Commodores took the lead back with three goals for a 13-12 edge.
Duke advances to play another American Lacrosse Conference opponent next week, traveling to face No. 2 Northwestern on Saturday, May 22, at Lakeside Field in Evanston, Ill.
