Duke blankets UNC star Bitter
By: Kevin Dunleavy
Examiner Staff Writer
May 18, 2009
Blue Devils stifle nation’s leading scorer, beat Heels for third time this year
ANNAPOLIS – Frustrated all game by the Duke defense, dynamic North Carolina star Billy Bitter had the ball in his stick, running downfield in transition with 18 seconds left and a chance to tie the NCAA quarterfinal game.
But as they did the whole day, the Blue Devils found a way to stop the nation’s leading scorer. Trailing the play, senior midfielder Sam Payton jarred the ball lose to sew up Duke’s 12-11 victory Sunday at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium.
With the win, the Blue Devils advance to the NCAA Final Four for the fourth time in the last five years. Duke (15-3) will play Syracuse (14-2) Saturday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
It’s a long way from March for a Duke team that suffered back-to-back losses to Harvard and Maryland.
“New people in new positions, no experience, no chemistry,” said Duke coach John Danowski. “You have to fail a little bit early before you succeed.”
One of the ways Duke succeeded was by throwing a blanket over Bitter (two assists), who had three shots on goal, but failed to score against Duke sophomore defender Mike Manley and senior goalie Rob Schroeder (11 saves).
In three games this season against Duke (all losses), Bitter scored a combined two goals.
“Certainly Mike did an unbelievable job on ball. We didn’t have to slide to him,” said Duke defender Parker McKee (12 ground balls). “Then all the other guys behind him did a great job. They covered up. They took a two-dimensional player and made him a one-dimensional player.”
Directing the Duke offense was senior attack Ned Crotty (two goals, six assists), who surpassed Bitter as the nation’s scoring leader. Crotty was at his playmaking best in the second half when he assisted on four of Duke’s five goals, including one to sophomore attack Zach Howell (three goals).
North Carolina (12-6) was down 12-8, but made it close with three goals in a 2:18 span. But after Bart Wagner (three goals) made it 12-11 with 6:10 left, the Tar Heels failed to score and fell to their rival for the 11th straight time.
kdunleavy@washingtonexaminer.com
