Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University women's soccer team continued a three-match road trip Sunday, stretching its winning streak to five with a 2-1 victory over Youngstown State at Farmers National Bank Field in Youngstown, Ohio. In improving to 6-1 (.857) overall during the 2024 season, the Dukes have matched their best start in school history. Duquesne also opened its 1998 campaign with a 6-1 (.857) record.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
The Dukes again dominated the scoresheet Sunday, registering a 27-7 advantage in shots, including 12-3 on goal. Duquesne was able to strike first, notching the only marker in the first half courtesy of junior forward
Brianna Moore. Duquesne had a corner kick at 36:54, and junior forward
Maya Matesa, who came off the bench and had two shots in her first two-and-a-half minutes of action, was able to get a shot off but the Penguins came up with a team save. Moore was there for the rebound, burying it in net at 37:13 to give the Dukes a 1-0 edge.
THE EQUALIZER
Youngstown State (2-4-2) was able to get on the board early in the second half to tie the contest, 1-1. Taylor Berry dribbled down the sideline and placed a perfect cross into the box, with Sara Felder picking up the pass and sliding it past Duquesne goalkeeper
Maddy Neundorfer at 56:15. Kate Makkas earned the secondary assist for the Penguins.
FOURTH DOWN
Despite Brown having her streak to open the season with a goal snapped at six consecutive games Sunday, her fellow classmate was there to pick her up. Moore picked up her second straight game-winning goal and team-high third of the 2024 season, as she beat YSU goalkeeper Maya Naimoli off a feed from senior
Mackenzie Leeder at 75:27 to secure the brace and push the Dukes back in front. It marks the fourth consecutive match Moore has scored a goal as she ranks second for Duquesne in both goals (7) and points (15) in 2024. The defense helped the goal stand as the difference, as YSU got three shots off in the final 14 minutes, one which was saved by Neundorfer, another that was blocked and the final one registered as a team save with just 32 seconds left.
DID YOU KNOW?
Duquesne's five-game winning streak is its longest since winning six in row in 2017, which is the longest winning streak in school history. The Dukes also won six consecutive matches from late into the 1997 season into the beginning of 1998 and again during the 2016 campaign. During its five-match surge, Duquesne has never trailed and has been tied for a total of 19 minutes and 12 seconds, which occurred Sunday at Youngstown State.
NOTES
The Dukes have allowed just one goal in the first half all season, which came at 29:38 in the season opener, a 6-2 victory over Mercyhurst at Rooney Field … Duquesne has outscored its opponent, 10-1, in the first 45 minutes … The Dukes have registered at least 20 shots in a game on four occasions, including three times in the last four matches … A total of four student-athletes played all 90 minutes Sunday, as joining Leeder was
Lindsay Krafchick,
Eva LaVecchia and
Ally Campanella, who was inserted into the starting lineup for the third time this season … Matesa led the Dukes with seven shots, while redshirt freshman
Hailey Longwell and Moore each notched five … A member of Duquesne's junior class has scored each of the last nine goals for the Dukes dating back to the final marker in a 7-0 triumph over Slippery Rock at Rooney Field.
UP NEXT
The Dukes head to Richmond, Va., to commence Atlantic 10 play with a 5:00 p.m. match against Richmond at E. Claiborne Robins Stadium Thursday, Sept. 19.
FOLLOW THE DUKES
For the latest news and updates on Duquesne women's soccer, follow the Dukes on X and Instagram.
