A year after having its schedule cancelled following rape allegations against three players, Duke reclaimed its place as the elite men?s lacrosse team in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 12-9 victory over Virginia in the league?s championship game Sunday afternoon in Durham, N.C.
Zack Greer had three goals and three assists, and Matt Danowski had three goals and an assist for Duke (13-2), which won its first ACC title since 2002. The Blue Devils ? who are now 4-5 all-time in ACC championship games ? pulled away Sunday in the third quarter when they outscored the defending national champion Cavaliers 7-3 after trailing 4-3 at halftime. Duke reached the finals with a 13-9 win over North Carolina Friday night.
Ben Rubeor had three goals and an assist, and Garrett Billings had three goals and an assist for Virginia (12-3), which has won five league tournament titles, including one in 2006. Virginia reached the finals with an 11-10 win over Maryland Friday night.
Both teams will now prepare for the NCAA tournament, which gets underway May 12. Both are also strong contenders for getting to the Final Four, which will take place May 26 and 28 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
