Duke's Trimble returns to Philadelphia to finish her college lacrosse career

The last time the Duke women's lacrosse team made a final four in the Philadelphia area, it was 2007, and Taylor Trimble looked on from the Franklin Field stands.

Trimble, an eighth grader at the time, was still jamming soccer, squash, and lacrosse into her schedule. Watching the Blue Devils in the NCAA tournament semifinals, even in a 14-13 loss to Virginia, inched her toward the sport.

"I just thought it was the coolest thing ever," said Trimble, a Rosemont native who went to Episcopal Academy. "As a collegiate athlete in general that's the pinnacle: going to the final four in your sport and having a chance to get to the national championship."

Seven years later, Duke is set to play North Carolina in the semifinals at PPL Park in Chester on Friday, and Trimble is at the center of its latest run at a first-ever national championship. She has started for the Blue Devils since her freshman year and was named a second-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference midfielder this season.

And with 36 goals on a career-high 82 shots this year, her finishing ability could decide whether her career closes with one or two games this weekend.

"[Trimble's] been able to get a lot of looks and maybe hasn't finished as well," Duke head coach Kerstin Kimel said. "I think that's a little more of a testament to the consistency she's had all year."

As a freshman, Trimble was an offensive-minded midfielder adjusting to a faster college game. She started in 17 games, and the Blue Devils lost in the NCAA tournament quarterfinals, all while Trimble and her classmates grew into the offense.

Now, Duke's top four scorers are seniors, and Trimble is a two-way midfielder whose role extends to defense and the draw circle.

"I can't believe she's leaving, it makes me feel old," North Carolina head coach Jenny Levy said. ". . . Not everybody is a four-year starter in the ACC."

But before Trimble finishes up, Levy will prepare for this Duke attack one last time. Trimble scored once on four shots against Princeton in the quarterfinals, and hopes to up her productivity while she still has time.

"I'm not looking forward to it ending but feel I have almost gotten the most out of my playing," Trimble said. "I think being in Philadelphia for my last two games will be just great closure for my college career."

WOMEN'S DIVISION I SEMIFINALS

North Carolina vs. Duke

When: Friday at 5 p.m.

Where: PPL Park

North Carolina coach: Jenny Levy.

Records: North Carolina (17-3), Duke (16-4)

North Carolina key players: Jr. A Aly Messinger (38g, 16a, 54p), Soph. M Maggie Bill (27g, 15a, 42p), Soph. G Caylee Waters (.500 save pct.)

Duke coach: Kerstin Kimel

Duke key players: Sr. A Kerrin Maurer (43g, 29a, 72p), Sr. A Brigid Smith (37g, 19a, 56p), Jr. G Kelsea Duryea (.484 save pct.)

Maryland vs. Syracuse

When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Where: PPL Park

Maryland coach: Cathy Reese

Records: Maryland (19-1), Syracuse (16-7)

Maryland key players: Jr. M Taylor Cummings (58g, 31a, 131 draw controls), Fr. A Megan Whittle (64a, 4a, 68p), Sr. G Alex Fitzpatrick (.464 save pct.)

Syracuse coach: Gary Gait

Syracuse key players: Jr. A Kayla Treanor (57g, 29a, 86p), Jr. A Halle Majorana (53g, 36a, 89p), Sr. G Kelsey Richardson (.433 save pct.)

- Jesse Dougherty

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