Duquesne Women’s Soccer Shines in Atlantic 10 Opener
The Duquesne University women’s soccer team kicked off their Atlantic 10 play with a strong 3-0 victory against Richmond at Rooney Field. This win brings their season record to 6-2-1, and they remain undefeated at home, having outscored opponents 14-1 there.
From the start of the game, the Dukes showed their offensive strength. Just over 10 minutes in, senior forward Maya Matesa scored the first goal, putting Duquesne ahead 1-0. This goal was not only crucial for the game but historic; it made Matesa the all-time single-season leader in goals for Duquesne with 11. She broke the previous tie with Lauren Bracco (2003) and Katie O’Connor (2015). Over the past four seasons, Matesa has netted 23 goals at home.
Coach Jessica Giegucz praised the team’s quick goals at critical moments. “Those early goals set the tone for us,” she said. Matesa’s performance has been impressive; she consistently plays with confidence, which is inspiring for the team.
The Dukes didn’t hold back, taking 26 shots during the match, 15 of which were on goal. Less than two minutes into the second half, junior Kaitlyn Killinger assisted senior Brianna Moore, who scored with a header to extend the lead to 2-0. Killinger soon added a goal of her own, making the final score 3-0.
Giegucz emphasized teamwork, saying, “While we have talented individuals, nothing beats teamwork. The girls really understand their roles and work hard together.”
Some interesting stats to note: Duquesne has a notable record in Atlantic 10 openers, now standing at 13-15-3. They dominated the match with 26 shots against Richmond’s 3 and also led with 12 corner kicks. Richmond’s goalkeeper, Veronica Rrapi, made 12 saves but could not keep up with the Dukes’ onslaught.
Looking ahead, Duquesne will travel to Washington, D.C. for their next game against George Washington on September 25 at 3:00 p.m.
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