Feb. 19, 2006
Senior midfielder Kyle Dowd scored a career-high four goals to lead second-ranked Duke to a 20-3 victory over visiting Butler Saturday afternoon in Durham, N.C. The game, played with a consistent wintry mix falling, marked the season-opener for both squads.
Dowd's assist on a Matt Zash goal just two minutes into the game gave the Blue Devils the lead for good, and Duke scored the game's first seven goals before Butler's Brian Welch tallied with 1:58 left in the first period to end the spurt. After the Bulldogs pulled within 9-2 on an extra-man goal by Jeremy Sieverts at the 9:25 mark of the second period, Duke used an 8-0 run to lead 17-2 when Ned Crotty found the back of the net less than three minutes into the fourth quarter.
Sophomore Cliff Smith also recorded a goal for the Bulldogs. Brendan Flanagan and Ben Sultze had assists. Butler took advantage of just one of its seven extra-man opportunities and had trouble clearing the ball, accomplishing the feat just 12 times in 27 opportunities.
Flannery, Zash and Zack Greer each contributed three goals for Duke while starting goalkeeper Dan Loftus was credited with eight saves against just one goal allowed in 46:19 of work. The Blue Devils secured 18-of-26 face-offs, with Dan Oppedisano leading the charge by winning nine-of-11 draws. David Evans recorded a game-high eight ground balls.
For the Bulldogs, goalies Ryan Kaiser and Kyle Harer each saw 30 minutes of action in the net. Gary Gambarani and Carlos Navarro each scooped up six ground balls.
The Bulldogs return to action Saturday (Feb. 25), traveling to New Brunswick, N.J., to face Rutgers. Face-off is set for noon.