Hokie ClubDURHAM, NC – The Virginia Tech lacrosse team began ACC play Sunday afternoon falling 12-8 to No. 12 Duke in the Hokies' first game since February 12 after a midweek postponement.
Tech's record moves to (1-1, 0-1), while the Blue Devils are (3-0, 1-0).
"I thought we started off really well," John Sung said postgame. "In the beginning we got it going and then they changed their goalie and that was the difference in the game, she made a lot of saves in that second half. We just didn't capitalize on our second half goals, but I know that this group can get there."
The Hokies scored on five of their first seven shots, holding a 5-4 advantage midway through the opening half. From there Duke scored three of the last four tallies of the half to take a 7-6 advantage into the locker room.
The Devils added three more to the scoreboard before Sarah Lubnow scored her second of the day at 15:02 to make it 10-7. However, the Hokies were unable to cut the deficit any further.
Lubnow scored three points, as did attacker Caroline Allen and Paige Petty and Emma Crooks each added two goals.
Elena Ricci tied Duke Maddie Jenner with four draw controls on the circle and she also secured four ground balls in the contest.
Mary Clare McCarthy led the defense with two caused turnovers and Angie Benson made five saves in goal.
The Hokies will return to Durham for a second game on April 17.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Nearly all statistical categories were essentially even in the game. Duke's shooting percentage ultimately was the difference in the game (46% to Tech's 32%).
•Draw controls were even with both squads corralling 11.
•Tech took 25 shots, one fewer than the Blue Devils.
•The Hokies managed 14 ground balls, Duke 22.
•The Tech defense forced the Blue Devils into 16 turnovers in the game while the offense only had 12 of their own.
GAME NOTES
•Virginia Tech is now 3-21 against the Blue Devils.
•John Sung's record moves to 41-29 at Virginia Tech and 141-74 in his career as a head coach.
•Tech is 2-4 all-time on February 21 and 0-2 in conference games.
•Angie Benson's record as a starter at Virginia Tech moved to 8-4.
•Freshman attacker Whitney Liebler earned her first collegiate start in the game. She took two shots.
NEXT TIME ON THE FIELD
•The Hokies will play host to Longwood on Wednesday, February 24 at Thompson Field at 3 p.m.
•Tech is 8-2 all-time against the Lancers, last meeting in Farmville in 2014, a 15-8 victory for the Hokies.Gallery: (2-21-2021) 2021 LACROSSE AT DUKE