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DUKE PROVES TO BE REAL NO. 1 WCLA DIVISION II SEED

by Paul Ohanian

   VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.  – Top-seeded Duke capped an undefeated season with an overpowering defensive effort to defeat No. 2 Utah, 8-3, in the final game of 2015 US Lacrosse Women's Collegiate Lacrosse Associates (WCLA) Division II National Championship, presented by Harrow Sports. Duke (16-0) scored the opening six goals of the game and never allowed the Utes to get untracked while capturing their first WCLA title.

   "We've been building for this for three years," said Duke coach Alexis Thieme. "All we talk about is the 'road to the nationals.'"

   On Saturday, the road to the title went through the Blue Devils' defense, which is often overlooked due to its dynamic offense. Duke consistently frustrated Utah's attackers and repeatedly caused turnovers that led to its own long possessions. Defenders Sydney Segal, Anne Marie Guzzi, Julia Tuttle and Annie Maas formed a cohesive unit in front of goalie Julia Tuttle, who needed to make just three saves in the win.

   "We consider re-defending as being one of our strengths," said Guzzi, who was selected as the tournament's most outstanding defender. "We're a good communicating team which really helps us to mesh on defense."

   Freshman Maddie Merke and sophomore Elle Wilson provided all the offense that the Blue Devils would need by combing for seven goals. Merkle finished with a game-high four markers and was selected as the tournament's most outstanding attacker.

    "Utah made us work for good shots because their goalie really played well," Merkle said. "But we were able to be patient in the second half because we had the lead and didn't mind keeping possession."

   Senior Katie Baker tallied two of Utah's three goals, while freshman goalie Sasha McKee tried to keep her team in the game with 12 saves. McKee was selected as the tournament's most outstanding goalie. Utah (19-3) finished as the national runner-up for the second time in three years.

   Both teams finished with their lowest scoring totals of the season and the 11-goals combined were the fewest scored in the championship game in the six-year history of the WCLA D-II Championship.

   Ultimately, none of that bothered the Blue Devils.

   "This has been an incredible season" Merkle said. "Joining this team was the best decision I've made since getting to Duke."

   Oakland University's Lindsay Barrett, who scored 25 goals in four games, was selected as the tournament's most outstanding midfielder. Oakland defeated Loyola Maryland, 12-11, to win the third-place game.

Saturday's Game Scores

3rd Place Game: Oakland 12, Loyola Maryland 11
5th Place Game: Air Force 14, Denver 9
7th Place Game: Concordia 15, Vermont 10
9th Place Game: St. Benedict 13, Cal State San Marcos 9
11th Place Game: St. Thomas 14, Iowa State 11

All-Tournament Team

Jess Koeger, Iowa State
Andrea Warner, St. Thomas
Ashley Quarford, Cal State San Marcos
Liz Kurpiers, St. Benedict
Jenna Cusick, Vermont
Angela Tulio, Concordia
Francoise DeManche, Denver
Erin O'Brien, Air Force
Mary Daniel, Loyola Maryland
Lindsay Barrett, Oakland
Andrea Almassy, Oakland
Nine Grubba, Oakland
Katie Baker, Utah
Sasha McKee, Utah
Katie O'Neil, Utah
Julia Ross, Duke
Alex Stitt, Duke
Maddie Merkle, Duke

Keeper of Lacrosse Team Sportsmanship Award

Iowa State