PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The 16th-ranked Saint Joseph's field hockey team opened its season on Saturday afternoon, dropping a 1-0 heartbreaker to #18 Duke in double overtime at Rutgers' Bauer Track and Field Complex.

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Saint Joseph's (0-1) had the first opportunity of the day, appearing briefly to open the scoring on a penalty corner, but the shot was deemed high and play continued through a scoreless opening quarter.

• Duke (2-0) took control in the second quarter and would earn a total of six corners in the first half while ripping off seven shots and forcing goalkeeper Robin Bleekemolen into four saves.

• The tide turned in favor of the Hawks in the third quarter, as SJU tested Duke's defense with three dangerous corner opportunities.  Piper Hampsch made a pair of key saves on one of those corners, while Mary Harkins denied Lily Santi the opening goal with a defensive save on another.

• The Blue Devils had the better of things in the fourth quarter, but ultimately the game would remain goalless heading into overtime.

• In the 7-on-7 extra frame, play opened up and the Hawks earned a prime opportunity to grab a winner on a pair of corners.  Hampsch stopped Santi on the first before Manu Ghigliotti's effort on the second got through the defense but hit the post.  Bleekemolen was called on in the final minute of the stanza to turn away Josie Varney and send the game to a second overtime period.

• The Hawks would earn one final corner midway through the period, but at the other end Josephine Palde tucked one home from the right side with 2:22 remaining to send the Blue Devils home winners.

BEHIND THE BOX SCORE
• Bleekemolen matched her career high with nine saves, while Hampsch made five stops for Duke.

• The Blue Devils outshot the Hawks, 15-7, with a 10-6 edge in shots on target; Duke also held a narrow 9-8 edge in penalty corners.

• Ghigliotti and Santi led the Hawks with three shots apiece, while Palde and Issy Carey had three each for the Blue Devils as well.

• After a 2-1 shootout victory over #8 Rutgers yesterday, Duke wins the "Battle on the Banks" tournament championship.

UP NEXT
The Hawks will return to Piscataway on Sunday to take on the host Scarlet Knights.  Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.