After first win, Duke up next on Tigers' schedule

Duke's women's lacrosse team might be the hottest team in the country right now. They are 5-0, average 15 goals a game and are fresh off a 10-8 win over No. 3 North Carolina. And they will bring momentum to Princeton Stadium on Sunday morning.

In their home opener, the Tigers will host what is probably the toughest opponent on their non-league schedule.

The game holds a little extra significance for junior midfielder Kathleen Miller because so many of her friends from high school play for Duke. The familiarity has bred lots of respect.

"On paper and on the field they have a ridiculous lineup and ridiculous talent, from goalie to attack," Miller said.

That talent list includes senior Katie Chrest, the latest of the Blue Devils to be named ACC player of the week. The star attacker had five goals and two assists in her game against Duquesne and scored the game winner against the Tar Heels.

Goaltender Meghan Huether was named ACC player of the week earlier this season and continues to play well.

One key challenge for Princeton will be preparing for all these weapons on short such notice. The midweek game against Loyola meant only three days to focus solely on Duke. With a rest day today, the Tigers only have two practices to prepare. The first and only film session will be on Saturday morning. They spent Thursday's practice going over miscues from the Loyola game and preparing very generally for the Blue Devils.

The players are aware of Duke's reputation, but — outwardly at least — are unfazed.

"It's too early in the season for any team to have the reputation where we need to be scared going into a game," freshman attack Katie Cox said. "I don't feel so psyched out about it — they do have a reputation, but so does Princeton."

On Princeton's side is the possible reemergence of Miller. The playmaker was hampered with injury for much of last season and was unable to practice with the team for large parts of the off-season as a result. But she seemed to find a rhythm on Wednesday when she posted three goals and an assist.

Defensive Challenge

The game, however, will most likely come down to whether or not the Tigers' defense can stop the potent Duke attack. The Blue Devils have already put up 75 goals in just five games. Besides Chrest, they have a solid midfielder in sophomore Rachel Sanford and junior midfield Michelle Menser put up three goals in the game against UNC. Princeton will have to find a way to stop these weapons.

An integral part to doing just that is the goaltender. For right now, a goalie has yet to be named as the starter for this weekend's game. The decision usually rests on who is doing better in practice in the days leading up to the game. So far, each goalie, junior Colleen O'Boyle and sophomore Meg Murray, has started one game. Murray gave up seven goals on 15 shots on goal in the win against Loyola while O'Boyle gave up eight goals on 10 shots on goal in the close loss to Johns Hopkins last week.

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In front of the goal will be a defensive unit led by senior co-captain Lauren Vance. Vance has forced four turnovers on the year and has four ground balls. Defender Marie McKenna also has been playing well in the opening games defender Marie McKenna. The freshman has six ground balls and has caused three turnovers.

The focus in yesterday's practice was on stopping Duke's offense and some primary assignments were doled out. Those two will certainly have major parts to play in those roles. The entire defense will be very busy Sunday morning.

The Tigers are fortunate to be playing at home. After heading to Baltimore for the first two games of the season, the team will avoid the possibility of bus legs for the entire season. Duke, on the other hand, also played on Wednesday night. They will be on the road for the second time in just five days, which could play a factor in Sunday's game.