RICHMOND, Va. - The Duquesne lacrosse team dropped a 21-16 decision to host VCU in the Dukes' Atlantic 10 opener on Friday evening. DU moves to 5-2 on the year while the Rams improve to 4-4.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Duquesne took a 5-3 lead on goals by Michaela Connolly and Rilee Bradshaw with just over 18 minutes to play in the first half.
• VCU answered with four straight goals to gain a 7-5 advantage.
• The Dukes responded with three of the next four scores by Maddie Hart, Courtney Battles and Sarah Kollhoff to knot the game at 8-8.
• The Rams countered with a 4-1 run to take the lead for good, compiling a 12-9 halftime edge.
• Tina St. Clair opened the second half with a goal to shrink the VCU advantage to 12-10, but that is as close as the Dukes would come in the closing frame as the Rams built their lead to as many as seven.
• Maddie Hart scored four goals in the final 9:08 for Duquesne.

KEY STATS

• Rilee Bradshaw and Maddie Hart each recorded five goals to lead Duquesne.
• Hart registered team-highs of seven ground balls and four caused turnovers while Bradshaw paced the Dukes with nine draw controls.
• Courtney Battles added two goals and a pair of assists for the Dukes.
• Maddy Curtis finished with a season-high 15 saves.
• Sky Hyatt netted eight goals to lead the Rams.
• Shots were an even 45-45, but VCU outshot Duquesne 36-29 on goal.
• The Dukes held a 21-18 advantage on draw controls.

NEXT UP
The Dukes return home to host Saint Joseph's in another A-10 contest on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Arthur J. Rooney Field.