Pittsburgh, Pa. - The rain was fierce but the Duquesne University women's soccer team, led by Brianna Moore and Maddy Neundorfer, earned a tough-fought draw against the University of Massachusetts, 1-1, Thursday night at Rooney Field.

Two of the best keepers in the A-10 squared off, with Maddy Neundorfer of the Dukes and Bella Mendoza for UMass (6-3-3) in the pouring rain in a battle for first place in the A-10.

Early in the contest, Anna Campanella was called for a handball, but Neundorfer came up big for the Dukes (5-5-3), turning away the penalty kick to keep the game scoreless. The first goal would come in the 31st minute from a well-placed low pass from Juliana Ryan to Bella Recinos, who tucked it right under Neundorfer to give the Minutewomen a 1-0 lead.

The game did not stay 1-0 for long, as sophomore forward Brianna Moore fired a laser from 20 yards out that beat Mendoza high for her fifth goal of the season to tie the game, 1-1.

Duquesne would take the momentum into halftime and come back swinging in the second half, with Mackenzie Muir leading the charge in shots with four, two of which would be on goal.

A chippy game and the possibility of first place in the A-10, the game totaled 20 fouls between the two programs. More pressure would come in the 46th minute, as midfielder Jayden Sharpless ripped a shot from almost 30 yards out, which Mendoza coming up with a key save that keep the game tied.

Jaimi Araujo would get a chance with a low sliding shot that would go just to the right of the goal as the Dukes continued to go back and forth with UMass deep into the second half.

Duquesne will look to keep up its best start in conference play since 2016 on the road Saturday, Oct. 7, at Saint Joseph's with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.

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