April 3, 2008

Blue Devils Bested By Notre Dame, 12-8, In Sloppy Conditions

DURHAM, N.C. - No. 12 Notre Dame took an early lead against No. 7 Duke and held on for a 12-8 victory in a rainy and cold Koskinen Stadium on Thursday afternoon. It marked Duke's fourth straight game, and sixth in its last seven, against a ranked opponent. They now hold a 4-4 record over ranked teams this year.

The loss was the third straight for the Blue Devils, which is the first time that has happened to the program since March of 2002. Duke falls to 7-4 on the year while Notre Dame improves to 9-3.

As with Duke's loss to Virginia last Saturday, a run in the first half by the opposing squad was too much for the Blue Devils to overcome. While the Cavaliers five straight goals came late in the first half, Notre Dame tallied five consecutive scores just after Duke took a 1-0 just 33 seconds into the contest.

Duke would score two quick goals late in the first but would allow Notre Dame two more in the last 1:45 of the half to go into the locker room down 7-3.

The Blue Devils would get within three scores twice in the second half-- once early and once late, but were unable to cut the deficit any more than that.