KINGSTON, R.I. – A late goal was the difference in Duquesne's 2-1 setback at Rhode Island (5-7-2, 4-3-1 A-10) Sunday afternoon.
 
The Dukes (4-8-2, 2-5-1 A-10) got off to a terrific start when Hannah Nguyen (Irwin, Pa./Penn Trafford) found the back of the net in the second minute to put the Dukes on top. Nguyen played the ball to the left end-line and chipped the ball over the Rhode Island goalkeeper's head into the right corner of the net for her third goal of the season.
 
The Rams responded just over two minutes later to tie the game. The Dukes were unable to clear the ball out of their side of the field when Rhode Island's Evelin Dapprich came up from the backline to play the ball. Dapprich sent a through-ball that connected with Brooke Cavino, who beat a charging Megan Virgin (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) to even the score at 1-1.
 
After two goals in the first four minutes, the first half did not see another ball find the back of the net. Virgin remained active in the first 45 minutes, making five saves to keep the score tied entering the break.
 
The tie score was broken in the 77^th-minute of the match when Rhode Island's Cavino took a shot from about 35 yards out that ricocheted off of the left post and into the net to make the score 2-1.
 
The Dukes had one final chance to tie the score on a corner kick in the final 10 minutes, but Rhode Island goalkeeper Faith Hutchins punched the attempt out of harms way and the ensuing shot attempt by Ashley Rodriguez (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge) was blocked. 
 
Virgin kept Duquesne within striking distance throughout the match with her play in net. She made a season-high nine saves in the loss. 
 
Rhode Island held a 19-to-7 advantage in shots for the match. The Rams also had a 7-to-3 edge in corner kicks.
 
The Dukes will return to Rooney Field on Thursday, Oct. 21 when they host George Washington in the home finale. Duquesne will honor and recognize its senior student-athletes prior to the 7 p.m. kick-off.