DURHAM, N.C. – Senior goalkeeper Kaye Goulding/Tickhill, England set a new career record with 15 saves, as the Longwood University field hockey team dropped a 3-1 decision at No. 13 Duke University (8-2) on Sunday afternoon in Durham, North Carolina. Junior Jessica Diaz/Chesapeake notched the lone goal of the day for the Lancers. Longwood (3-7) will return to action on Wednesday, October 2 when the squad travels to VCU for a 6 p.m. contest in Richmond.

"In today's game, we had strong performances in many facets of our game," said head coach Iain Byers. "We're content with a lot of what we did today. We defended well, our press worked well and we moved the ball around effectively. We had more circle time and more penetration than we've had in the last couple of years against Duke, so there's definitely progress being made. We had a couple of tough goals, but to score and come back from one goal down to tie it up before losing it in the last 10 minutes still shows progress as a team. We're happy and if we play like that against VCU, it will definitely be a good game for us."

The Blue Devils opened the contest with five shots in the first 11 minutes of action, but the Lancers played solid defense with three saves by Goulding and a defensive save by senior Caitlin Smith/Hampton to keep the game scoreless. Longwood earned its first penalty corner of the day with just over 20 minutes remaining in the first half, as sophomore Kim Ruiter/Huizen, the Netherlands put a shot on target that was saved by DU keeper Lauren Blazing. On Longwood's next possession, sophomores Jennifer Burris/Virginia Beach and Hollie MacDonald/Yorktown attacked with back-to-back shots on goal, both of which were saved once again. Duke pulled ahead with 14 minutes to go in the half, as Brenna Rescigno launched a shot that was blocked before Jessica Buttinger collected the rebound and found the back of the cage to give the Blue Devils a 1-0 edge. The home squad attempted to extend its advantage with six more shots before the period expired, but the Lancers' back line continued to fend off the attack, with four saves by Goulding and a defensive stop by senior Stacey de Grandhomme/Cape Town, South Africa to send Longwood into the break facing just a one-goal deficit.

Coming out of halftime, Longwood outshot Duke, 4-2, en route to knotting the score at 1-1 in the first 14 minutes of play. Diaz dribbled into the circle alone and beat the opposing keeper for the game-tying goal. The Blue Devils were quick to retaliate, however, as Rescigno converted on a penalty corner give Duke a 2-1 lead with 16:15 remaining. The home squad added a penalty stroke goal by Emmie Le Marchand at 9:19, securing the 3-1 decision.

Duke outshot Longwood, 27-7, in the outing, and forced more penalty corners, 12-2. Ruiter led the Lancers with two shots, while five other Lancers added one apiece. Sunday's match marked the 15th meeting ever between Longwood and Duke in the sport of field hockey. The Blue Devils now hold an undefeated 15-0 advantage in the all-time series.