GAME 19
2025 Atlantic 10 Championship – Quarterfinals
No. 6 Fordham (10-6-2) vs. No. 3 Duquesne (12-5-1)
Saturday, Nov. 1 | 2:30 p.m.
Rooney Field | Pittsburgh, Pa.
 
Live Stats | Watch | Championship Central | 2025 Roster | 2025 Schedule | 2025 Statistics | Record Book

From The Pitch

- The Duquesne University women's soccer team hosts its first Atlantic 10 Championship game since 2017 Saturday at Rooney Field with a 2:30 p.m. match against No. 6 seed Fordham. The Dukes enter postseason play as the No. 3 seed after finishing 7-3 (.700) in conference play.

- In its 2025 regular-season finale, Duquesne earned a 4-2 triumph over La Salle (10/26). Senior forward Maya Matesa fed fellow classmate Brianna Moore, who chipped a shot over Mackenna Yaracs just 47 seconds into the contest to give the Dukes a 1-0 lead en route to the victory.

- Senior forward Mackenzie Muir scored on a penalty kick at 26:34 to give Duquesne a 2-0 edge over the Explorers, while Matesa found the back of the net just over two minutes later on an assist from junior forward Kayla Leseck to extend the cushion to 3-0.

- Matesa would help seal the victory against La Salle with her second goal of the contest early in the second half, burying a one-on-one opportunity after a pass from Moore at 49:34 to give the Dukes a 4-1 advantage.  

- The win over La Salle marked the second time this season the senior trio of Maya Matesa, Brianna Moore and Mackenzie Muir each scored a goal in a game, with Duquesne 2-0 in those contests. The trio also each found the back of the net in a 3-0 win over VCU (10/2) at Rooney Field.

- Thanks to seven points last week in a 5-1 win at St. Bonaventure (10/23) as well as the victory over La Salle (10/26), senior forward Maya Matesa was named the Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Week (10/27). It marks the third time this season she has been bestowed the plaudit.

- Duquesne enters the 2025 Atlantic 10 Championship ranked 16th in NCAA Division I in scoring offense at 2.39 goals per game. The Dukes also rank in the top five in the country in both shots on goal (9.89) and shots (21.00) per game, totals that rank second and fifth, respectively.

- The Dukes have established single-season school records this season in goals (43) and points (110), totals that rank 14th and 28th, respectively, in NCAA Division I. Duquesne's goal differential of 24, which is tied with Dayton atop the Atlantic 10 leaderboard and ranks 21st in the nation.

- Senior forward Maya Matesa was one of 35 student-athletes, and only two from a mid-major, named to the 2025 Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List (10/7). Matesa ranks third in NCAA Division I in goals (17) and fourth in points (39) entering the 2025 Atlantic Championship.

- Elsewhere among NCAA Division I leaders, Matesa is tied for second in game-winning goals (6) with seven other student-athletes, trailing only Brigid Duffy of Army West Point, who owns seven. Matesa also sits fourth in per game averages in NCAA Division I for shots (4.78), goals (0.88) and points (2.17).

- The Dukes have registered at least 20 shots in a game 10 times this season, including seven of their eight games at Rooney Field. Among that total is a season-high 39 shots in a 2-2 draw at Eastern Kentucky (9/21) in Duquesne's non-conference finale, which tied a program single-game record.

- The Dukes are led by head coach Jessica Giegucz, who is in her first year at the helm of the program after spending the last 10 years as the head coach at NCAA Division II Slippery Rock out of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).

- Giegucz was named the sixth head coach in program history at Duquesne Dec. 20, 2024. In 10 seasons leading the Rock, Giegucz compiled an overall record of 104-48-24 (.659). She began her coaching career in Ashland, Wisc., at NCAA Division III Northland College, where she posted a mark of 11-9-1 (.548) in 2014 prior to being tabbed the head coach at Slippery Rock.

- Duquesne's win at Mercyhurst (8/24) marked the 200th game for Jessica Giegucz as a head coach in stints at Northland College, Slippery Rock and Duquesne. In 12 seasons as a head coach, Giegucz owns an overall record of 127-62-26 (.651).

Atlantic 10 Championship Tidbits – Duquesne is making its 11th appearance in the Atlantic 10 Championship and its first since 2023 … The Dukes are 4-9-1 (.321) all-time in the A-10 Championship, including a run to the 2015 crown and automatic berth in the NCAA Championship … The Dukes finished with an overall record of 12-10-2 (.543) in 2015, establishing a program standard for wins that has been matched by the 2025 squad thanks to its win over La Salle (10/26) … Forward Maya Matesa was named to the 2023 Atlantic 10 All-Championship Team in Duquesne's last appearance, as her brace helped lift the Dukes to a 2-1 victory in the quarterfinals at Massachusetts (10/27/23) … Both of the goals for Matesa against UMass were scored in the first half, including the game winner at 29:38 … A total of four players were named to the 2015 Atlantic 10 All-Championship Team during Duquesne's run to the title, including midfielders Linnea Faccenda and Abby Losco, forward Katie O'Connor and goalkeeper Vanessa Perdomo … Perdomo was named the 2015 Atlantic 10 Championship Most Outstanding Player … Perdomo finished with 29 saves during the 2015 A-10 Championship, including eight in a 2-0 win over No. 5 seed Fordham in the title game … The Dukes were the No. 7 seed in the 2015 Atlantic 10 Championship … O'Connor was also named to the 2017 Atlantic 10 All-Championship Team … In the last Atlantic 10 Championship game Duquesne hosted, the Dukes earned a 1-0 win in the 2017 quarterfinals over George Washington, as the Revolutionaries registered an own goal at 104:58 in the only score of the contest.

Scouting the Rams – Located in the Bronx, N.Y. … Posted a record of 10-6-2 (.611) during the 2025 regular season, including 5-4-1 (.550) in the Atlantic 10 to earn the No. 6 seed … The Rams tied with VCU and Loyola Chicago for fifth in the conference standings with 16 points but earned the six seed after compiling four points against common opponents with both the Ramblers and Rams … Loyola Chicago tallied seven points against common opponents with Fordham and VCU and earned the No. 5 seed … Fordham enters the 2025 Atlantic 10 Championship tied for second in the conference in goals (34) with Saint Louis and second in shots (319) … Sophomore forward Liina Tervo, a native of Tuusula, Finland, leads the Rams with 26 points courtesy of 10 goals and six assists … Including Tervo, five different players have scored at least four goals this season for the Rams … Kyla King has started 15 matches for Fordham at goalkeeper and owns a 1.21 goals against average, 65 saves and a .783 save percentage … The 2025 campaign is the fourth season for Magnus Nilerud (Bridgeport '99) as head coach at Fordham … Nilerud was named the 2024 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year … Saturday marks the 22nd meeting in the all-time series between Duquesne and Fordham, with the Rams owning a 10-8-3 (.548) advantage … In the last meeting between the two programs last year, the first since 2018, Fordham posted a 3-1 victory in the Bronx, N.Y., at Moglia Stadium as the Rams scored each of their goals in the opening 45 minutes … Duquesne earned a 1-0 victory over Fordham in the last meeting between the two programs at Rooney Field Oct. 21, 2018.

Broken Record – It seems each game the Dukes play this season has been another opportunity for senior forward Maya Matesa to cement her name as one of the top offensive players in program history, and she's taken full advantage. In a 2-1 triumph at Saint Joseph's (10/19), a brace for Matesa helped her become the program's all-time leader for goals. Her 29 over the last four seasons eclipsed former forward Katie O'Connor, who scored 25 from 2015 to 2018 and owned the previous standard. Matesa is just the third player in school history to eclipse the 60-point plateau, as she enters the 2025 Atlantic 10 Championship ranked second all-time in points with 69 thanks to 29 goals and 11 assists.

Perspective – To illustrate the season that Maya Matesa has crafted, the senior forward has scored more points this season than she had tallied in her previous three years combined. Matesa entered her final campaign on the Bluff with career totals of 12 goals and 30 points but this season alone owns 17 goals and 39 points in setting Duquesne single-season records in both categories. Matesa is also looking to become the first student-athlete for the Dukes to lead the Atlantic 10 in both categories since the conference began sponsoring women's soccer in 1993.

Three's Company – The trio of forwards Maya Matesa and Brianna Moore and midfielder Mackenzie Muir have staked their claim as the head of a senior class that includes 11 members as one of the most offensively efficient groups in program history with how the 2025 season has played out. Putting an exclamation mark on a four-year career, the three have combined for an astounding 161 points over the last four seasons thanks to totals of 65 goals and 31 assists. Each of the trio rank in the top 10 all-time on the Bluff for career points, with Matesa (69) second, Moore (51) tied for fourth with Linnea Faccenda (2014-17) and Muir (41) eighth. Each of the trio have eclipsed the 40-point plateau during the 2025 campaign.

Duquesne Career Leaders - Points

Name (Years)	Points
1. Audra Mathews (2004-07)	75
2. Maya Matesa (2022-25)	69
3. Katie O'Connor (2015-18)	67
4. Linnea Faccenda (2014-17)	51
Brianna Moore (2022-25)	51
6. Katie Schwager (2001-04)	48
7. Erica Carey (2002-05)	46
8. Mackenzie Muir (2022-25)	41
9. Morgan Herbert (2009-12)	38
10. Erin McKane (1995-98)	37
Lauren Bracco (2000-03)	37
Abby Losco (2015-18)	37

Goal Oriented – In giving the Dukes a 2-0 lead in an eventual 3-0 victory over VCU (10/2), senior forward Brianna Moore picked up career strike No. 20. She became the fifth player in program history to reach the 20-goal plateau as well as the second this season, joining senior forward Maya Matesa. Matesa added her 24th career goal later against the Rams to settle the final score. Matesa and Moore, meanwhile, are the first pair of teammates in school history to each own 20 career goals. Moore collected her 22nd career goal in Duquesne's regular-season finale, a 4-2 win over La Salle (10/26), which ranks third all-time at Duquesne.

Duquesne Career Leaders - Goals

Name (Years)	Goals
1. Maya Matesa (2022-25)	29
2. Katie O'Connor (2015-18)	25
3. Brianna Moore (2022-25)	22
4. Audra Mathews (2004-07)	21
5. Erica Carey (2002-05)	20

Over The Mountain – Senior forwards Maya Matesa and Brianna Moore became the top-scoring duo in program history in Duquesne's game at Saint Louis (10/12). The goal for Moore against the Billikens, on an assist from Matesa, helped the duo eclipse former Dukes Katie O'Connor (67) and Abby Losco (37), who tallied 104 points as teammates from 2015 to 2018. Matesa (69) and Moore (51) own 120 points as teammates since the beginning of the 2022 season.

Head of the Class – The 11 student-athletes that make up the senior class for Duquesne in 2025 has put up some strong numbers since the beginning of the 2022 season, combining for 189 points thanks to 72 goals and 45 assists. Senior forward Maya Matesa is the program's career leader for goals with 29, while senior forward Brianna Moore has tallied 22 career strikes. Senior midfielder Mackenzie Muir, meanwhile, is the program's active career leader in assists with 13. A member of the senior class for Duquesne was involved in nine consecutive goals scored by the Dukes dating to last season before junior forward Kayla Leseck gave the Dukes a 5-0 lead at Mercyhurst (8/24) with her second career goal at 59:49.

Standing Tall – While the offense has earned the headlines for the Dukes this season, the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic 10 Championship wouldn't be possible without the solid play of the defense. Junior goalkeeper Ali Hughes has been a key component, as the win over La Salle helped her set a new Duquesne single-season record for goalkeeper wins with her 12th. Hughes, who was named Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week (10/6) for consecutive shutouts earlier this season, has started each of Duquesne's 18 games this year, logging a full 1,620 minutes while compiling a 1.06 goals against average, 63 saves and a .768 save percentage.

Adding To The Tally – Senior midfield Reese Kershner collected her first career NCAA Division I goal in a 4-0 win over Youngstown State (9/11), scoring on a rebound in the first half that propelled the Dukes to the win. In addition to the score being the first career goal for Kershner, it was her first game-winning strike, and she became the ninth different member of the senior class to register on the scoresheet during their career on the Bluff.

Did You Know? A member of the senior class has scored 34 of the 43 goals for Duquesne this season, including 22 of the last 27 entering the Atlantic 10 Championship.

Alone At The Top – The scoring exploits of senior forward Maya Matesa has her putting together the finest offensive season in program history. In just the ninth match of the 2025 season, Matesa established a new single-season school record for goals, as her strike in a 3-0 win over Richmond (9/21) marked her 11th of the year. The goal snapped a three-way tie atop the list, as midfield Lauren Bracco (2000-03) originally scored 10 goals to establish the record in 2003, a number that was matched in 2015 by forward Katie O'Connor (2015-18). Matesa also established a new Duquesne single-game record with 11 shots in a 4-0 win over Youngstown State (9/11).

Did You Know? Duquesne is 17-1-1 (.921) over the last four seasons when senior forward Maya Matesa scores a goal. During that stretch, Matesa has scored multiple goals in a game nine times.

Back and Forth – Senior forward Mackenzie Muir notched each of her four goals last season on the home turf of Rooney Field. That's a stark contrast to her previous four career markers, which all came on the road during her rookie campaign in 2022. In the 2025 season opener, a 3-2 victory at Kent State (8/17), Muir tied the contest, 2-2, by converting on a penalty kick and in the process collected her first road goal since her freshman year. Muir enters the 2025 Atlantic 10 Championship having found the back of the net in three of the last four games, and the Dukes are 11-2-1 (.821) over the last four seasons when Muir scores a goal.

Light Up Night – The 2025 season has been a record-breaking one for Duquesne offensively, which added more notches in a 4-2 win over La Salle (10/26) in the regular-season finale at Rooney Field. The 12 points the Dukes tallied in the win over the Explorers pushed the season total for Duquesne to 110, a new program standard and just the third time the Dukes have eclipsed 100 points in a season. The Dukes have also established a new team season record for goals with 43.

Lineup Stalwart – Junior Jayden Sharpless has been a steady presence for the Dukes in the midfield over the last three seasons, as she is the only player in that stretch to have started all 55 games dating to the beginning of the 2023 campaign. Sharpless owns career totals of a goal and an assist on 54 shots, 20 of which have been on frame. Sharpless is also the only field player for the Dukes this season to have played 1,620 out of a possible 1,620 minutes and made her 50th consecutive start in a 1-0 win over George Mason (10/5). In 55 career games, Sharpless has logged a full 90 minutes in 54.5 percent (30-of-55) of those contests.

FOLLOW THE DUKES
For the latest news and information on Duquesne women's soccer, follow the Dukes on X and Instagram.