DURHAM - Even Katie Chrest's lacrosse teammates occasionally marvel at the Duke senior attacker.

Blue Devils junior Leigh Jester calls Chrest's athleticism "insane" and her ability to change directions "remarkable." Jester can't figure out how Chrest makes some of the shots that she does.

"She hits shots from way, way wide left or wide right," Jester said. "There's like no way.

"I said the same to Rachel [Sanford] today, 'If I ever followed through like that and tried to shoot it from where she shot it? My shot would go wide left.' "

Chrest is a giant part of the Duke women's lacrosse team's success in the past two years. She won the 2005 Tewaaraton Trophy, honoring the nation's best player, and is a finalist for the award again this year.

Today, she leads the top-seeded Blue Devils (17-2) against James Madison (15-4) at 1 p.m. at Koskinen Stadium. The winner advances to the Final Four, which starts Friday in Boston.

"She has the ability to coordinate her hands and her feet as well as any lacrosse player I've seen," Duke coach Kerstin Kimel said. "She's not so much a power player as she is a finesse [player]. She can see spaces and tip-toe ... through them and maneuver her stick through there as well."

After the 5-foot-5 Chrest earned the best player award in 2005, Kimel prepared her for this season. Duke tried to anticipate how teams would defend her and added to her game. She has been challenging teams from different spots and playing more in the midfield.

While the Blue Devils were winning, Chrest found herself a bit uncomfortable.

"It was midseason when I sat down and was like, 'I feel like I'm not being as depended on as much as I was last year.' I told Kerstin I was so hesitant to come in and talk to her about it because we were winning," said Chrest, a Hampstead, Md., native.

In 2005, Chrest scored 70 of the Blue Devils' 286 goals.

This season, she has 59 of the team's 284 goals.

Kimel told Chrest she had to give opponents credit for playing good defense against her. Kimel also told her to think about the different ways she had helped the team.

Six players, including Chrest, have more than 25 goals on the season. While that offensive flexible is a luxury compared to last year's team, it isn't always easy for Chrest.

"Last year, I think I developed into our go-to player," Chrest said. "And this year, we have so many weapons that at times, it's really great. Sometimes it's a great thing and sometimes I wish I had the ball on my stick more on the attack.

"You know, [last year] I could change the game with the goal but defenses are more keyed on me, so spreading that is helpful but it's also frustrating sometimes."

Although Chrest doesn't always feel like Duke's go-to player, her teammates look for No. 18 in a pinch.

"Without a doubt, we always look to her," Jester said. "... You're always going to look to your best player."

NCAA WOMEN'S LACROSSE TOURNAMENT

No. 8 seed James Madison (15-4) at No. 1 seed Duke (17-2)

When: 1 p.m. today

Where: Koskinen Stadium

Tickets: $5

Know this: The Blue Devils women recovered their fast-break offense as they crushed Holy Cross 18-2 in the first round, but their defense didn't get as hardy a workout as they would have liked. James Madison should be able to create longer offensive possessions, but it is unlikely that it can match Duke's firepower.

Next up: The winner faces the UNC-Northwestern winner at 6 p.m. Friday at the Final Four in Boston.

No. 5 UNC (13-5) at No. 4 Northwestern (17-1)

When: 1 p.m. today

Where: Evanston, Ill.

Know this: Somehow, Northwestern slipped to the No. 4 seed in the tournament despite losing only one match this year (Duke beat it 16-10 in Durham on April 7). Northwestern is 38-1 in the last two years and is the defending national champion, making Carolina's job a challenge. In the teams' April 21 meeting, the Wildcats won 18-10. The Heels have to win more draw controls and keep Northwestern from stringing together any runs.

Next up: The winner faces Duke-James Madison winner at 6 p.m. Friday at the Final Four in Boston.