Third-Ranked Cavaliers Down No. 18 Duke 2-1

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DURHAM, N.C. – The third-ranked Virginia field hockey team (15-2, 3-2 ACC) downed No. 18 Duke (8-10, 0-5 ACC) 2-1 Saturday in the regular season finale Saturday in Durham, N.C. Freshman Elly Buckley scored the game-winning goal in the final minutes while junior Paige Selenski also notched a goal for the Cavaliers.

After a scoreless first half that saw Virginia outshot Duke 2-0, both teams notched goals coming out of the break.

Tied at one, sophomore Tara Puffenberger (Dallas, Pa.) found an open Buckley (Perth, Australia), but her initial shot was saved by Duke goalkeeper Samantha Nelson. The rebound, however, came back to Buckley and she was able to put it in the back of the cage for a 2-1 Cavalier advantage. Buckley’s 14th score of the season came with 1:55 to play in the game.

For the game, both teams tallied 10 shots, while the Blue Devils registered eight penalty corners to Virginia’s seven.

The Cavaliers got on the board first in the 41st minute when Selenski (Shavertown, Pa.) notched a goal on an UVa penalty corner. Seniors Taylor Swezey (Ambler, Pa.) and Haley Carpeter (Virginia Beach, Va.) assisted on the play.

Duke was able to tie the game eight minutes later when Tara Jennings score on a Blue Devil penalty corner.

Junior Adrienne Ostroff (Blue Bell, Pa.) played all 70 minutes in the cage and collected one save. Nelson finished with five saves.

The 2010 ACC Championship begins Thursday in Winston-Salem, N.C.