Georgetown and Duke entered Saturday’s game in Northwest, D.C. with the same mission. With a combined records of 0-5 against top-10 teams and 9-0 against others, the Hoyas and Blue Devils needed a quality win.
Boosted by the face-off work of Sam Payton and a pair of surprise goals by long stick midfielder Tom Montelli — his first two this season — Duke dominated the final 24 minutes of a 15-10 victory at Multi-Sport Field.
Georgetown (4-3) had an 8-6 lead early in the second half when attack Ryan Shuler scored on an unsettled situation. But after that, it was all Duke (6-3).
The Blue Devils scored 9 of the game’s last 11 goals. Junior Zach Howell (three goals) and senior Max Quinzani (three goals) led the attack.
The Duke defense, led by senior Parker McKee (four ground balls) and junior Michael Manley, excelled as well. Georgetown’s top goal scorer, freshman Travis Comeau, was shut out. Midfield threats Scott Kocis and Andrew Brancaccio were limited to one goal apiece.
After Georgetown went up 8-6, Payton (10 of 18) turned the tide Duke’s way with three straight face-off wins, producing three goals in a span of 85 seconds. Quinzani fed Montelli (3 caused turnovers) for a goal. Sophomore midfielder Justin Turri (two goals) scored 17 seconds later. Then Howell finished off a feed from Quinzani to give Duke the lead, 9-8.
The most disheartening goal for Georgetown, however, came at the end of the third period when Montelli scored at the buzzer to give the Blue Devils the lead for good.
Payton started the fourth period with another face-off win, scooping the ball himself and scoring against a short stick defender. Consecutive goals by Howell put Duke in charge.
Max Seligmann (two goals, one assist) and Craig Dowd (one goal, three assists) led Georgetown. Jack Davis contributed 14 saves. Brian Tabb won 16 of 27 faceoffs, but tired in the second half.
