A Classic in Charlottesville as Duke Wins, 13-12. The #3 Duke Blue Devils (11-1, 3-1 ACC) made the journey to Charlottesville, Va. to face the challenge of the #4 Virginia Cavaliers (9-3, 2-3 ACC). In yet another classic, the teams went extra time to settle things. “Mr.Overtime” Joe Robertson notched his second OT goal of the season with just :32 left.
A few side stories added to the intrigue in this one. The first goal of the game was a thriller. Joe Robertson assisting on his older brother’s Phil (1g) scoring in their home town to give Duke a lead at 14:13. The first of six ties occurred when Dox Aitken (3g) beat Mike Adler to get it to 1-1.
The Action
Charlie Bertrand (3g) followed :31 later by Connor Shellenberger (1g,1a) put the Cavs in front, 3-1. Joe Robertson (2g,3a), Aidan Danenza (1g), and Owen Caputo (1g) countered to close the first quarter with Duke up, 4-3. Duke stayed on the attack with Michael Sowers (3g) and sidekick Brennan O’Neill (3g,2a). Converting a sweet Joe Robertson feed on the EMO nudged the score to 6-3.
Bertrand and Dyson Williams (1g) matched markers before Peyton Cormier (2g) followed by the third from Bertrand closed the half with a 7-6 edge leaning the Duke way. Aitken and O’Neill each took a turn in the spotlight as did Matt Moore (2g) with Sowers answering. The O’Neill tally was another of the feel-good stories. JT Giles-Harris fired the length of the field directly into the stick of O’Neill to give Giles-Harris his first point.
After Sowers made it 9-8, Petey LaSalla won the draw and took it to the house knotting it up at 9-9. Virginia stayed on the attack and switched the scoreboard to 11-9 with a Cormier goal at 3:27 followed by the third from Aitken just nine seconds later. Sowers ended the run with his third with 1:27 remaining and the combatants went to the final quarter with a 11-10 Cavs lead.
:36 in and Moore pushed it to a two-goal contest. At 9:55, O’Neill cut it to 12-11. Unheralded Garrett Leadmon (1g) hit rope to set the stage from a frantic finish with 1:45 to go. Off to extra time they went and went back and forth with Duke goalie, Adler making a few saves before Robertson went goal line extended and got the best of Alex Rode with just :32 showing on the clock.
Wow! I Need a Breath
Showing how well these teams match up, shots were 50-49 Duke and on goal was 29-28 the Duke way. Duke had 14 turnovers to the Cavs 10. Ground balls were heavily slanted the Virginia way, 42-25. Petey LaSalla once again was outstanding with his goal and going 18 of 27 from the “x”. Mike Adler for Duke and Alex Rode for Virginia each stopped 16 shots. A Classic in Charlottesville as Duke Wins.
Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.
