No. 12 UVA Women's Lacrosse Pulls Away for 16-12 Win Over No. 24 Duke

The Cavaliers celebrated senior day with a four-goal victory over the Blue Devils on Saturday at Klockner

Matt Riley/Virginia Athletics

On the same day that the Virginia women's lacrosse team honored its senior class, the Cavaliers celebrated those seniors with a solid victory over a ranked opponent. The Blue Devils went stride for stride with the Hoos for three quarters, but a 6-1 run in the fourth quarter allowed No. 12 Virginia to pull away for a 16-12 victory over No. 24 Duke on Saturday afternoon at Klockner Stadium. 

It was a pretty solid start for the Blue Devils, who scored the first two goals of the game and held UVA scoreless for the first seven minutes of action. Morgan Schwab, who ended up being the player of the game for the Cavaliers, scored back-to-back goals to pull UVA even at 2-2. Lexi Schmalz briefly gave Duke the lead again, but Kate Miller scored to make it 3-3 at the end of the opening period. 

There was a highly-anticipated matchup at the draw as Virginia's all-time leader in draw controls Aubrey Williams went head-to-head with Duke's Maddie Jenner, who has the most draw control wins in the history of NCAA women's lacrosse. Virginia had a 5-2 advantage in draw controls in the first quater, but three early saves from Duke goalie Sophia LeRose prevented the Cavaliers from capitalizing on the possession advantage. 

Just as they did to start the game, the Blue Devils scored the first two goals of the second quarter. This time, Virginia responded with three unanswered goals, each coming from a different goal scorer. Schmalz found the back of the net for Duke in the final minute of the half and the game was tied at 6-6 going into halftime. 

Virginia stormed out of the gate in the third quarter, scoring four-consectuvie goals, including two more from Morgan Schwab and one each from Ashlyn McGovern and Rachel Clark, as UVA's two leading attackers found the back of the net after being held scoreless in the first half. This matchup proved to be a game of runs, though, as the Blue Devils continued to have chances on the offensive end thanks to Maddie Jenner giving them an edge in the possession battle. Duke took advantage with three-straight goals in the final two minutes of the third quarter to get back within one goal at 10-9 entering the final frame. 

Rachel Clark was limited to just one goal in the first three periods, but UVA's points leader wouldn't be held down forever. The reigning ACC Freshman of the Year scored three unassisted goals in a row in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter and Ashlyn McGovern, Virginia's leading goal-scorer, added another goal to extend the Virginia lead to 14-9 at the midway point of the fourth. 

Duke stopped the bleeding with goal from Carly Bernstein, but UVA responded with two more goals from McGovern and Schwab, each assisted by Taylor Mullen to put the game away. Duke's Katie Keller scored twice in the final minutes, but Virginia's lead was never in doubt as the Cavaliers won 16-12.  

Morgan Schwab led the way with a career-high five goals and an assist while Rachel Clark scored four goals, including the personal 3-0 run that turned the tide of the game. Ashlyn McGovern tallied three goals and two assists. 

Now 10-4 on the season and 5-2 in ACC action, Virginia faces a top ten team on the road next weekend as the Cavaliers visit No. 7 Boston College on Saturday at 2pm in Chestnut Hill. 

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