The Johns Hopkins Lady Blue Jays (10-9) bid a tearful farewell to longtime Coach, Janine Tucker.
Tucker, after 29 years, 14 NCAA Championship Tourneys and a 313-130 record has decided that enough is enough and retired after the 17-12 defeat handed over to the Duke Lady Blue Devils in first round Women’s NCAA action.
Kevin M. Neibauer.
LaxPhilly– A Division of the Edge of Philly Sports Network.
To the First:
Duke and John’s Hopkins net up in College Park, Maryland with Duke never trailing in this one. Abby Landry (1g,3a) stole the spotlight in the opening 15:00 minutes. Landry was the catalyst on markers from Katie DeSimone (4g) at 13:36 followed with Katie Keller (3g,3g) denting the twine just fifty eight seconds later. Landry (1g,3a) potted one of her own at 9:58. Duke continued pressuring with Catriona Barry setting up DeSimone for her 57th to push it to a 4-0 game. Madison McPherson (3g) threw water on the Duke run but, Barry (1g,3a) countered just thirty seven later. Shelby Harrison (2g,1a) hit on the advantage for Duke answered by Abby Hurlbrink (3g) for the Blue Jays to end the opening quarter.
After One, Duke in front, 6-3.
One Down, Three to Go:
The Duke offense was finding their happy place and would extend the lead with a big second stanza. Eva Greco (1g,1a) hit net at 14:33 and the score fest was on. Maeve Barker (2g) with Hurlbrink complimenting ten ticks later, cut it to a two goal differential. All that did was annoy the Devils with Olivia Carner netting her first of four, Caroline DeBellis (1g), and Landry doing the work for the 25th for Landry. Barker once again threw cold water on the Duke uprising but, Duke heated back up with three tallies in the final twenty five seconds supplied by, Maddie Jenner (2g), Carner with her 29th, both on the advantage and topped off by Jenner putting home her 30th.
At the half, 13-6 Duke.
Onward:
The sense of urgency kicked in for Hopkins with McPherson (32nd), Bailey Cheetham (1g), and Hurlbrink working it down to a four goal Hopkins disadvantage. Duke would put down their notebooks and counter courtesy of DeSimone and Garner. Hopkins wasn’t going away that easy and an advantage goal off the stick of Georgie Gorelick (1g,1a) closed the third.
End of Third, 15-10 Duke.
Wind it Out Time:
Fifty one seconds in, McPherson cut it to a four goal game DeSimone and Harrison exchanged pleasantries and goals with Carner capping the 17-12 affair.
Numbers:
• Stats wise, JHU had more shots 34-25 and more on net, 29-22. Turnovers had Duke with 20 and the Blue Jays with 11. Draw Controls went 20-12 the Duke way.
• Sophia Lerose had 17 stops in the Duke net with Kathleen Garvey playing 30:00 with a pair of saves.
Duke Women Move On.

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.