Pittsburgh, PA – The Duquesne University women’s soccer team had a strong comeback on their home field at Rooney Field, beating Cleveland State 4-1. This win pushed their season record to 4-1.
In the first half, both teams were aggressive. The only goal before halftime came from senior forward Maya Matesa. Cleveland State attempted a pass back to their goalkeeper, Hayleigh Lewis. Matesa intercepted it and scored, putting Duquesne ahead 1-0. The Dukes had 8 shots, with 4 on target, while Cleveland State managed 5 shots, 3 of which were on goal. Both goalkeepers made three saves. With this goal, Matesa notched her eighth of the season and her 20th career goal, making her only the fourth player in Duquesne’s history to reach this milestone.
After the break, Duquesne quickly extended their lead. Junior forward Kaitlyn Killinger scored just over nine minutes into the second half, marking her first goal for the Dukes. Moments later, an unfortunate own goal from Cleveland State’s Emma Pompo made it 3-0 for the Dukes.
Coach Jessica Giegucz highlighted the team’s success in spreading the ball around and playing effectively under pressure. She expressed pride in Killinger’s performance and reassured her about her abilities leading up to the match.
Sophomore Paige Kuisis sealed the game just a minute after the Dukes’ third goal. She received a pass from Matesa and scored with a powerful strike, showcasing the depth of the team.
Matesa’s performance was notable, tying her with other standout players from previous seasons. Freshman Emerson Connelly also made her debut as a starter, contributing to the team’s defensive efforts. The Dukes have shown a knack for scoring in the second half, having achieved three goals in that timeframe in three of their first five games.
Interestingly, Duquesne has a solid record when scoring three or more goals in a match, stretching back to 2009. They’ll next travel for a game against Bowling Green on September 7.
Analyzing trends in college soccer, teams that can score consistently in the second half tend to win more—solidifying the importance of stamina and strategy in late-game situations. Keeping track of player milestones, Matesa is climbing the ranks, with her career total now at 47 points.
The Dukes seem poised for a strong season. As they continue to play with confidence and energy, fans are sure to keep an eye on how they perform against upcoming opponents.
For more updates on Duquesne women’s soccer, you can follow them on X and Instagram.
