Spartans Fall to Duke In Overtime, 3-2

Aug. 30, 2009

Durham, NC - Tenth-ranked Duke rallied to overcome a 2-0 deficit to post a 3-2 overtime victory over Eighth-ranked Michigan State in the final of the Champions Invitational on Sunday in Durham, NC. The Spartans got both goals from Jantine Steinmetz in the contest, and a five-save performance from Elissa Unger. The Blue Devils got the game-winner on a penalty stroke goal by Lauren Miller with 8:44 remaining in the extra frame.

The Spartans opened the scoring early in the game, when Jeamie Deacon assisted on Steinmetz's first goal of the season. Michigan State took that lead into the intermission, and struck again early in the second half, when Steinmetz scored her second of the game off an assist from Angela Pagura.

The home team cut into the lead at 45:43, converting on a penalty corner when Miller set up Sarah Schoffstall. Just over five minutes later, the teams had a tie ballgame when Susan Ferger took a pass from Tara Jennings and got it past Unger to knot the score at two. The teams battled through 20 minutes of regulation without scoring again, sending the game to an extra session - and Miller's heroics.

Michigan State held a slim 17-16 lead in shots on goal, but had nine penalty corners - eight in the second half- compared to just four for Duke.

The Spartans, now 1-1 on the season, head to Athens, Ohio next weekend to take on both 14th-ranked American and Ohio Universities. Games on Saturday and Sunday each start at 1 p.m.