Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University women's soccer team dropped its first game of the 2024 season Sunday, 2-1, to No. 7 Pitt in Station Square at Highmark Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The Dukes dipped to 1-1 (.500) overall during the 2024 season.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Over 60 minutes of scoreless action as the Duquesne defense was able to keep the Panthers off the scoreboard, Pitt (1-0-1) found the back of the net at 63:52. Sarah Schupansky fired off a shot that went over the outstretched arms of senior goalkeeper
Maddy Neundorfer that gave the Panthers the first goal of the contest. Pitt held a 22-11 edge in shots, and the Panthers would add the eventual game-winning goal at 84:52 when Lucia Wells scored from the top of the box on a feed from Chloe Minas.
WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU?
The marker from Wells proved to be key in the contest, as Duquesne scored with just over two minutes remaining when junior forward
Margey Brown, fresh off a hat trick in a season-opening win over Mercyhurst, picked up her fourth goal of the young season. She found the top left of the goal, getting it by Ellie Breech of the Panthers, who finished with three saves.
QUOTABLE
"Unbelievably proud of the compete level and our willingness to play until the whistle," head coach
Al Alvine said. "We fought and we fought. Grabbed a goal at the end and made it a one-goal game. On another day, if we get a couple of bounces go our way maybe we're walking out of here with a draw or even a win. Regardless of the result, the organization, the discipline and just the passion to play was evident. It was a great game to watch."
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Brown entered the 2024 season with eight career points in 36 games, including 31 starts, but in just under a shade of 100 minutes (99:16) played this season has racked up nine points on nine shots thanks to four goals and an assist. Brown came off the bench Sunday against the Panthers as midfielder
Ally Campanella and forward
Brianna Moore each made their first start of the year for the Dukes. Neundorfer, meanwhile, notched eight saves, matching her season high from last season.
QUOTABLE
"Margey had a really good summer playing for her club team," Alvine said. "She played a ton and had really good coaches, and you can tell her confidence is back. She's more aggressive, and that's paid off early this season."
UP NEXT
Duquesne returns to action Sunday, August 25, with a 3:00 p.m. match against Bowling Green at Rooney Field. It's the second game of a soccer doubleheader on the Bluff, as the men's team hosts Canisius at 12:30 p.m.
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