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	1	2	F
(4) Duke (8-2)	9	9	18
Virginia Tech (4-4)	2	6	8
Thompson Field - 201 Box Score Photo Gallery

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Despite a five-goal run in the final ten minutes of the game, the Virginia Tech lacrosse team fell to the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils, 18-8, at Thompson Field on Wednesday. Tech drops to 4-4 on the year, 0-2 in conference play, while Duke moves to 8-2 and 2-0 in the ACC.

Freshman Megan Will led the Tech offense with three goals in the game. Taylor Trimble, who put away five goals on the day, led Duke.

The Blue Devils wasted no time getting things going as Trimble buried a pass from Kerrin Maurer 30 seconds into the game. Trimble found the back of the cage on two more occasions in the opening three minutes of the game, as Duke ran up a 7-0 lead in the first 11 minutes.

The Hokies finally got on the board with 17 minutes to go in the first half when senior Ryan Rotanz worked her way through the Duke defense from the left side and put away a shot back towards the right.

Production would slow for the remainder of the half as Duke tacked on two more goals, including a free position shot with 19 seconds to go, and Tech’s Brooke Martin added a score for the Hokies when she put away a pass from senior Morgan Widlake.

The Blue Devils took a 9-2 lead into the halftime break, as well as an 18-3 shots advantage.

Emma Hamm and Trimble helped Duke pick up right where it left off as both players scored in the first minute of the new period, but the Hokies responded much quicker this time. Will buried a pass from classmate Meg Bartley after Bartley was fouled and dished the ball back inside.

Duke reacted four minutes later with a four-goal run, but Tech didn’t step down to the 15-3 deficit. It was Will again that would strike for the Hokies to spark a run of their own.

Senior Jessica Nonn found the back of the goal four minutes later on a free position attempt and Rotanz added one more on a quick pass from Shannon Bone.

Nonn found freshman Cawley Bromley with just under five and a half minutes left in the game and Will capped off the run with just over four minutes to play, making it 15-8 Duke.

The Blue Devils put an end to the Tech momentum and added four goals in the final minute and a half to ensure victory.

Although Tech outshot the Blue Devils 12-11 in the second half, they took the edge in the game, 30-15. Duke also dominated the draw; winning 18 of the 26 draw controls.

Junior Alex Gale played the full 60 in goal and finished the afternoon with seven saves, while Duke’s Mollie Mackler saw all but nine minutes in the cage. She made four saves and allowed four goals. Kaitlin Gaiss finished out the game for the Blue Devils and allowed four goals, making just one save.

Tech returns tot he field on Saturday, March 17 as it heads to Mount St. Mary’s for a Noon game.

For updates on Virginia Tech lacrosse, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Lax).