A mere 13 seconds changed the course of the Deacons' pending postseason. The Deacons battled the Duke Blue Devils in their final regular season game of the 2002 season at Spry Stadium Nov. 2. The 2-1 loss gives the Deacs an overall record of 12-6-1 and a 2-4-1 record in the difficult Atlantic Coast Conference.

The well-played game was knotted at 1-1 after 90 minutes, but by the 90:13 mark the Blue Devils had upset the Deacs, handing Wake Forest their fourth loss in the conference.

"It is absolutely hard to fall from the top to the bottom of the conference," junior forward Katherine Winstead said. "We certainly don't like being at the bottom of the conference, but we've got to see it as a challenge. It's another opportunity to prove ourselves."

The Demon Deacons jumped on the board first in the 32nd minute. Alena Thom connected with Alli Hunt, passing the ball up field on the right side. Hunt crossed the ball and found freshman forward Sarah Kozey.

Kozey controlled the pass at the 10-yard line and drove the shot into the far right corner of the goal.

Duke tied the game on a last-minute scoring effort before the end of the half. Senior forward Brigid Bowdell dribbled past the last line of the Deacons defense and put the ball into the net. Bowdell's goal was the last one in regulation.

The defenses shined in the second half as neither team managed to find the back of the net. Senior goalkeeper Erin Regan had three saves and the starting defense of junior A.B. Robbins, senior Liz McDowell, and senior Joline Charlton all held the Blue Devils scoreless over the second 45-minute half.

The Blue Devils took the opening kick off in the overtime period and took advantage of it. Duke struck quick, scoring the winning goal in a matter of seconds. Midfielder Heidi Hollenbeck sent the ball up field to Gwendolyn Oxenham who connected with Casey McCluskey.

McCluskey received the pass and immediately sent it to the back of the net, finishing a 13-second scoring drive and the regular season.

Wake Forest will face in-state rival North Carolina on Nov. 7 in the first-round of the conference tournament in Tallahassee, Fla. No. 2 nationally-ranked Tar Heels will be tough competition, but don't expect the Demon Deacons to back down at the sight of Carolina Blue.

"We are all really excited about playing Carolina in the first round," Winstead said.