PITTSBURGH – The Duquesne lacrosse team fell just short in its home opener Wednesday, dropping an 11-10 decision to Robert Morris at Rooney Field.

The Dukes erased a three-goal deficit in the third quarter, tying the game at 10 with 4:48 remaining. However, RMU's Gia Anthony netted the game-winner less than a minute later. Duquesne had three chances to equalize in the final minute, including two shots in the last 10 seconds, but could not convert.

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"Today's loss was disappointing. Our play was inconsistent and lacked energy. There were spurts when we played like the better team, but overall, we did not execute the fundamentals necessary to win a tight game. We definitely didn't shoot well.

We did battle hard in the fourth quarter. There were quality attack opportunities to tie the game, but we couldn't finish.

Mackenzie had an outstanding game today. She found a way to score and keep us in it. We will reevaluate and improve certain aspects of the game to put us in a better position to win against Youngstown," said head coach Tracy Coyne postgame.

Mackenzie Leszczynski tallied a game-high seven points with five goals and two assists. She also recorded a game-high five draw controls.

Emily King and Chelsea Evans each scored twice, while Gracin Emerson added a free-position goal just before halftime. King's two scores were a career high.

The game was tied 1-1 after the first quarter and 6-6 at the break. Duquesne closed the first half on a 3-0 run, but RMU responded with three straight goals to open the third quarter. The Dukes answered with goals from Leszczynski (twice), King and Evans to tie it at 10 before Anthony's deciding goal.

Evans also had a career-high five caused turnovers to lead the DU defense. Hanna Pawela moved up in the Duquesne record book with five ground balls and two caused turnovers, now ranking seventh in career ground balls (131) and third in caused turnovers (118). Goalkeeper Megan LaBorne played all 60 minutes and finished with five saves.

Six of the Dukes' 10 goals came from the free position (6-for-9), while holding RMU to 1-for-5 from the arc.

UP NEXT
Duquesne hits the road next Wednesday for a 7:00 p.m. matchup against Youngstown State inside the Watson and Tressel Training Site.

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