NCAA

Staff Reports

WINSTON-SALEM -- Duke will get another chance to play for its first national championship in field hockey, but its opponent will have the advantage of a home field and title-game familiarity.
The Blue Devils advanced to the NCAA championship for the second season in a row by defeating Michigan State 5-2 in Friday's semifinals.

On Sunday at 12:38 p.m., they will play tournament host Wake Forest, which defeated Maryland 3-0 to reach its third consecutive championship game.

Last year, top-ranked Wake became only the third team to win back-to-back NCAA titles when it defeated second-seeded Duke 3-1 in Amherst, Mass.

DUKE 5, MICHIGAN STATE 2: Five players scored for Duke (18-4), which sent the Spartans (18-4) to their only loss in regulation.

Goalie Christy Morgan finished with six saves, including five in the second half when Michigan State took 13 shots on goal.

Michigan State tied the score at 2-2 less than four minutes after halftime when Veerle Goudswaard scored on a direct hit.

The Blue Devils regained the lead with 27:26 remaining when Hilary Linton scored.

Gracie Sorbello gave Duke a 4-2 lead, rebounding her own blocked shot and beating Spartans goalie Christina Kirkaldy.

With 16:56 remaining, Duke's Amy Stopford scored unassisted.

WAKE FOREST 3, MARYLAND O: The winning goal came on the first penalty corner of the game.

Wake's Claire Laubach sent the ball to stopper Maeke Boreel, who stopped it as Lauren Crandall stepped up and fired for a 1-0 lead.

Moments later, Boreel stole the ball and drove into Deacs territory. She slipped a pass across the middle to diving Kelly Dostal, who scored for a 2-0 lead.

Tamar Meijer scored the Deacs' third goal after Maryland fouled Laubach and Dostal took the free hit.

Keeper Kristina Gagliardi got the shutout for Wake, which outshot Maryland 11-6.

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