PITTSBURGH - Duquesne, playing its first match since Nov. 2, 2019, fell to Pitt, 3-0, in its spring opener at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Sunday afternoon.

Pitt (10-5-0), which played 14 matches in the fall season, got a pair of second-half goals from Landy Mertz (61' & 80') to pull away.

Junior midfielder Alex Saturni led Duquesne with three shots, including one on goal. Freshman Brooke Kirstein had the Dukes' other shot on net.

Pitt oushot DU 14-9, including 8-2 on goal. Six of Pitt's shots on goal came in the second half.

Bella DeFabbo, one of three keepers to see action for the Dukes, finished with three saves on seven shots faced.

The Panthers led 1-0 at the half.

Duquesne opens Atlantic 10 play at home vs. Dayton on Sunday, Mar. 14 at Noon (ESPN+).


HOW IT HAPPENED

• Duquesne's Hannah Nguyen had the first shot of the match in the eighth minute, but her attempt from outside the 18 following a long run sailed high and right of the net.
• DU's Emma Bundy's shot from the right top corner of the box was left of the goal in the 20th minute.
• Neither team manufactured a solid scoring opportunity until Pitt's Chantelle Parker had a shot from just outside the six stopped by DU's Megan Virgin in the 33rd minute.
• Pitt broke the ice when Athalie Palomo scored off the second of back-to-back Panthers corner kicks in the 38th minute.
• DU's Brooke Kirstein put Duquesne's first shot on goal in the 44th minute.
• The teams had three shots each in the first half, with Pitt placing two on goal to one for the Dukes.
• Alex Saturni's straight-on free kick from outside the box in the 50th minute was high of the crossbar.
• Saturni's shot on goal in the 63rd minute was saved by Pitt's Caitlyn Lazzarini.
• Mertz, who had shots saved by DeFabbo in the 51st and 58th minute, found the back of the net in the 61st and 80th minute to put the match out of reach.