COLLEGE PARK -- The high-scoring machine that is the Maryland women's lacrosse team is showing some rust.

The four-time defending national champions overcame a 26-minute, 11-second scoring drought in the second half last night and slipped past No. 7 Duke, 8-5, at Ludwig Field.

Sophomore attacker Quinn Carney had three goals and an assist, sophomore attacker Jen Adams registered two goals and three assists, and junior goalkeeper Alex Kahoe made 16 saves to lead the top-ranked Terps to their first win in the Atlantic Coast Conference and second win of the season. The Blue Devils dropped to 1-1, 0-1 in the ACC.

Maryland coach Cindy Timchal pointed out that Duke had beaten her Terps squad 364 days ago.

"We have to recognize that we are the four-time national champs and that we have a bull's eye on our foreheads," Timchal said. "It's an ugly win, but I'm OK with it."

After Duke junior attacker Tricia Martin scored the game's first goal with only 1: 38 gone, Maryland scored the next six in a 27: 14 span.

During that run, Carney scored all three of her goals, and Adams, junior midfielder Christie Jenkins and sophomore Meredith Egan each had goals against Blue Devils junior goalkeeper and Severna Park graduate Shannon Chaney (12 saves).

But Martin scored her second goal of the game with no time remaining in the first half to cut Duke's deficit to 6-2.

In the second half, the Blue Devils clamped down on the Maryland attackers during the 26-minute scoreless streak. During the drought, freshman midfielder Kate Kaiser (Notre Dame Prep) scored two goals and sophomore midfielder Kate Soulier rifled one past Kahoe to cut the lead to one.

But Maryland junior midfielder Kristen Sommar and Carney ended the scoring famine and sealed the win.

Adams said the team needs to work on its shooting accuracy.

"We controlled most of the game, but we didn't finish our shots," said the Brighton, Australia native. "We had some lapses, but it was important for us to come back and pull through for the win."

Duke coach Kerstin Kimel, a 1993 Maryland graduate, praised her team's performance.

"I think we were ready to play," she said. "We just got a little rattled with Maryland's prolific offense."

Pub Date: 3/06/99