Field Hockey Falls in Final Second of Overtime

Aug. 29, 2014

EAST LANSING, Mich. - No.16 Michigan State dropped its season opener at home on Friday afternoon in heartbreaking fashion, losing to fourth ranked and national runner-up Duke in overtime. Trailing 1-0 with the clock ticking down in regulation, Abby Barker created space from the left side of the circle and found the back of the net to tie the game up with eight seconds remaining, forcing overtime.

Duke scored a goal with just one second on the clock in the overtime period to secure the victory and improve to 1-0 on the year. Blue Devil forward Alexa Mackintire got loose on the break and spun around Spartan goalkeeper Sierra Patton, leaving her a wide open net to score the game-winning goal.

"We fought back and didn't give up, but we gave Duke too many opportunities," said head coach Helen Knull. "You can't give a team that good as many corners as we did today. For them to score with one second left was frustrating because we were about to go into the break and regroup. The momentum was in our favor to start overtime, so we would like to have come away with more, but you have to play and learn and improve for the next game."

MSU's best chance in overtime came on a break led by Barker and Allie Ahern. Barker outran the Duke defense and sent a cross in to Ahern that came up just empty. Barker was the center of several quality chances throughout the game, and the Spartans kept the pressure on Duke for much of the second half and overtime.

"Today shows that we are not a team that's going to just roll over," said Barker. "No matter what a team is ranked or what conference they are from, we're going to come in and give it all we have."

Patton was outstanding in the extra frame, denying six Duke shots after recording just one save in regulation. The seven saves for the game was a career-high for Patton.

"Sierra had an outstanding game for her first start," said Knull. "She came in and executed well today. She was solid in net and that gives her and the team confidence. I am excited for her and how she played."

Duke took control of an evenly played first half after scoring a goal on a penalty corner in the 22nd minute. Well executed passing in the circle led to an open shot by Ainsley Gill for her first goal of the season.

Michigan State returns to action on Sunday when it plays host to Maine at 11 a.m. at Ralph Young Field.