Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University men's soccer team picked up its second 3-1 victory in as many games to open its 2024 season, earning the win Sunday over Canisius at Rooney Field. The Dukes improved to 2-0 for the second time in the last three years thanks to the triumph.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
In a near carbon copy of their season opener against Seton Hill, the Dukes entered the second half tied, 1-1, with Canisius before finding the back of the net twice to secure the win. The game-winning goal against the Golden Griffins Sunday came courtesy of freshman
Roni Badler, who took a perfect feed from junior
Jaxon Ervin and buried it past Canisius goalkeeper Jack Petrie at 55:23 to give Duquesne a lead it wouldn't relinquish. It marked the second consecutive game a reserve came off the bench to score as well as the second straight game a rookie produced a goal.
STOP, THEN GO
Senior goalkeeper
Zoltan Nagy made four saves in picking up his first win of the season and had the help of his defense, which helped protect the lead late. Mesafint Ellingson unleashed a shot on goal that was blocked, and out of the flurry Duquesne went on the offensive. Senior
Maxi Hopfer helped generate the insurance marker with some fancy footwork, placing a perfect pass to graduate student
Ali Nasser, who picked up his first goal as a member of the Dukes at 81:25 to help secure the victory.
QUOTABLE
"We know how hard we've worked in preseason, and if we focus on doing what we do, we're going to have a chance to get on the end of things in the box," head coach
Chase Brooks said. "I think you saw that again today. Just like Thursday night the guys worked their butts off. We'll keep building momentum from it. It's about continuing the momentum and continuing to learn. We're not perfect, but the guys all understand their roles, and really that's what it's all about. Whether you're on the bench or not, guys realize they're going to have to step up at some point. With our depth, guys are just ready to go. That's exciting."
ACTION JAXON
Earning his first start of the 2024 season and second of his career was Ervin, who gave Duquesne the lead in the first half with the first marker of the contest. In an open field in the box, Ervin slid and sliced the ball past Petrie at 19:04 to open the scoring and pick up his first NCAA Division I goal. Ervin, who played a total of 257 minutes a year ago, has four points in the opening two games of the new season thanks to a goal and a pair of assists.
NOTES
Senior
Jesper Moksnes played a full 90 and is the only member of the Dukes through the first two games to play all 180 minutes … Eight different Dukes have scored at least one point through the opening two contests, with six notching at least two points … Registering a secondary assist on the game-winning goal by Badler was freshman
Bendix Bennetzen … Duquesne held an 18-9 edge in shots, including a 7-6 advantage in shots on goal … The Dukes posted six corner kicks compared to three for the Golden Griffins … Ellingson scored the equalizer for Canisius at 38:18 to send the game to halftime tied, 1-1.
UP NEXT
Duquesne heads out on the road for the first time, traveling to Cincinnati, Ohio, Sunday, Sept. 1, for a 3:00 p.m. match at Xavier.
FOLLOW THE DUKES
For the latest news and updates on Duquesne men's soccer, follow the Dukes on X and Instagram.
