Spring Break
The Daily OrangeSU defense stifles Duke offense, holds Crotty scoreless
By Matt Ehalt
Posted: 5/23/09, 6:34 PM EST Section: Final Four '09
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Syracuse's offense held up its part of the bargain with 17 goals, but the SU defense did not let Duke meet quota on its end.
The SU defense held Duke to just seven goals on Saturday, five goals below the Blue Devils' average. Holding the Atlantic Coast Conference champions to seven goals, its second-lowest total on the season, Syracuse prevailed 17-7 over Duke at Gillette Stadium to advance to the final four.
"I think we really shut out their opportunities transition wise and it was our defense plan throughout the week to rotate fast and go quick because (Ned) Crotty feeds the ball anywhere you leave an open slot," Galloway said. "I think our defense did a great job having their sticks up and knocking down some passes and just playing physical with them."
It all started with SU senior defenseman Sid Smith holding Duke's Ned Crotty in check. Crotty, the Blue Devils' leading scorer, came into the contest with 23 goals and 53 assists on the season.
"I made him adjust to me," Smith said, "Rather than me adjusting to him."
With Smith playing aggressive defense on the senior, Crotty could not ignite Duke's offense. Crotty finished with just two assists, while Duke managed to only score three second-half goals and watch the Orange go on a 7-1 run to close the game.
"The pressure kept on growing," Duke junior attack Max Quinzani said. "We couldn't get the ball to Ned up top. The rest, I think they laid off on the pressure, but we didn't have long enough possession to even see what they were doing. That's a testament to their faceoff game, their possessions on the offensive side."
When the Blue Devils did find open shots, though, Galloway was there to support his teammates. The goalie stopped 11 of 18 shots, including seven of 11 in the first half. From the beginning, Galloway saw the ball well and made some key saves, even celebrating after making a big save with SU leading 5-3 in the second quarter.
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