DAVIDSON, N.C. – The No. 5 Duquesne women's soccer team's season came to an end Friday night as the Dukes fell to the No. 4 Davidson Wildcats 2-0 in the A-10 Championship Quarterfinals.

Duquesne finishes the season with a 6-7-3 overall record and a 4-3-3 record in the A-10.  

Despite the loss, this year's team exceeded all outside expectations, as the Dukes were picked to finish in 10^th-place in the A-10 Preseason Poll.

Much of the reason they were picked so low could have been due to the Dukes' 17 true freshman, which is the largest freshman class in the entire country. Throughout the season, that youth ended up being an advantage, not a disadvantage, as at least a half dozen freshman played meaningful minutes this year.

In this match, Davidson played to its strength by leaning on its defense to stop the Dukes from finding the back of the net. The Wildcats have only allowed eight goals all season, the lowest total in the conference, and did not give one up tonight.

Davidson's two goals came in the 17^th- and 41^st-minutes of the game, and the second half was scoreless on both sides.

Freshman forward Maya Matesa came off the bench and played 67 minutes, recording three shots and two shots on goal. Junior forward Jaimi Araujo also had three shots.

Sophomore goalkeeper Maddy Neundorfer was tested all night and made four saves on six shots on goal.

Davidson recorded 15 total shots compared to eight from the Dukes. Duquesne managed just four shots on goal.

Duquesne had its chances in Davidson's end, as it notched seven corners compared to six from the Wildcats.

Ultimately, the Dukes were missing something tonight, whether it was the right shot, not making that last pass or seeing something a second too late, Duquesne wasn't able to get on the board and give Davidson enough to worry about.

After the goal in the 17^th-minute, Davidson was able to play an even more defensive style than it already does. After the second goal, the Wildcats planted themselves in the defensive zone, not letting anyone in a white jersey get close to the box with the ball.

Davidson advances to the A-10 Championship Semifinals while the Dukes head into their offseason.

GAME NOTES

• This is the third season in the past five years that the Dukes have won exactly six games.
• The Dukes had 13 different people record a point this year, which is the most since 2016 when 17 different players recorded a point.
• Araujo ends the season as the leading-scorer for the Dukes with five goals and 11 points.
• Neundorfer's .814 save percentage is the best since Kyra Murphy in 2017 (.843). Her 96 saves are also the most since Murphy's 102 in 2017.
• Freshman midfielder Mackenzie Muir's three game-winning goals this year are the most since Katie O'Connor's four in 2017.
• Senior midfielder Sarah Wilkinson ends her Duquesne career with 74 matches played, which ties her for the 10^th-most in Duquesne history.
• Senior defender Ashley Rodriguez played the full 90 minutes for the 11^th-straight game.

FOLLOW THE DUKES
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