ATHENS, Ohio --  Charlie Neiman (Jr., Bellevue, Wash.) notched a hat-trick to earn Player of the Game honors and key No. 15 Duke University to a 6-4 win over No. 10 the University of Colorado in the 11th place game at the 2008 National Collegiate Club Championship on the campus of Ohio University.

The Atlantic Division champion, Duke notched an 11th place finish in its first trip to Nationals as the Blue Devils trailed 3-2 at halftime but rallied back behind the play of Neiman to take the game.

Jamie Friedland (Sr., Chicago, Ill.) and Ryan Goldhahn (Gr., Lodi, Calif.) put Duke on the board first converting on exclusion chances at 5:55 and 2:43 in the first period to give the Blue Devils a 2-0 lead.

Colorado, the Rocky Mountain Division champs, stampeded back into the game in the second period courtesy Alex Lin (Sr., Manoa, Hawaii) who scored on an exclusion at 4:38 before tacking on natural goals at 2:06 and four seconds to put the Buffaloes out in front 3-2 at the break.

Duke tied the game and regained the lead in the closing minutes of the third period as Neiman blasted in his first goal at 3:03 and Ben Rothstein (Sr., Mundelein, Ill.) torched Colorado for a score at 1:43 to put the Devils ahead 4-3.

The margin grew to 6-3 midway through the fourth period courtesy Neiman who scored at 4:40 and again at 3:50.  Colorado could not overcome the deficit managing a successful penalty shot by Beall at 2:43 to close the gap to the 6-4 final.

In cage, Ted Belsches (Sr., Dothan, Ala.) made three saves to pick up the win, while Kevin Webster (Jr., Denver, Colo.) registered five saves for the Buffaloes. 

Colorado Goals: Alex Lin (3); Clint Beall

Duke Goals: Charlie Neiman (3); Ryan Goldhahn; Ben Rothstein; Jamie Friedland 

Saves: Colorado - Kevin Webster (5), Dylan Gandy (0) ; Duke - Ted Belsches (3)

Ejections: Colorado - 5 ; Duke - 9

Sprints: Colorado - 2 (2nd & 3rd) ; Duke - 2 (1st & 4th)