Hokie ClubVirginia Tech had a chance to run out the clock with the lead, but a late turnover led to Duke's tying goal with nine seconds left and the Blue Devils would go on to win the ACC opener 11-10 in overtime.
For Tech (2-3, 0-1), it is the first ACC season opening loss since 2016 and snaps a three-game winning streak against the Blue Devils.
"We made a ton of improvements today, I thought we played well," head coach John Sung said. "On the defensive side we held their best player to three goals so they stuck to the scout well. We just didn't make enough plays to win the game."
Tech opened the scoring five minutes into the game thanks to Julia Bolte and the rest of the half would be a back and forth affair that featured five ties as neither squad could get any separation. The teams went into the halftime break all square at five goal apiece.
"Julia played really well," Sung said. "She's a captain and really stepped up and led the way with those three goals today. I think it was huge when she scored and we had a lead there for a minute."
Bolte, who scored her second career hat trick at Virginia Tech was instrumental in a four-goal run that gave the Hokies a 9-6 lead that was capped off by Taylor Caskey who scooped up a loose ball and fired home her only shot of the day as the shot clock was running down.
From there, Duke got back into the game with a 3-1 spurt and tied the game at 10 with just nine seconds on the clock after a Tech turnover, left the door open.
Duke won the draw in overtime and Ellie Majure converted a shot to win the game seconds later.
"It shows this group that we can play with anybody which is encouraging, Sung said. "We played well, but didn't get the result we wanted."
In goal, Morgan Berman made nine saves, continuing her strong play to begin the year and she also had four ground balls. Mary Clair Byrne scored twice and also grabbed four ground balls and caused four turnovers in midfield. Paige Petty and Emma Crooks each added two goals and Crooks secured six draw controls on the afternoon
Duke (3-1, 1-0) was led by three goals each from Charlotte North and Olivia Jenner. Five other players each scored once in the contest. In goal Gabbe Cadoux came up with 10 saves on 35 shots faced.
Inside the box score
- Tech outshot the Blue Devils 35-22
- The Hokies won more draw 12-11. Duke came into the game with a +30 advantage in that category on the season
- The Hokies were 3 of 6 on free positions, while Duke was just 2 of 5.
Game Notes
- The game was played on Duke's turf practice field adjacent to Koskinen Stadium, the program's usual home field due to rain.
- The Hokies, who played their first game of the season on the road, also played outside for the first time. Tech wore orange uniforms in the first half and black ones in the second.
What's next
- Tech's next contest after the clash with the Blue Devils will be on Wednesday, Feb. 27 when they travel to Norfolk, Virginia to take on ODU.
- The Hokies are back at home on Sunday, March 3 for a 3 p.m. draw against New River Valley foe Radford.