Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University women's soccer team opened the home portion of its 2025 slate Thursday, earning a 3-0 victory over Saint Francis at Rooney Field. Thanks to the win, the Dukes improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2015.
 
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Maya Matesa continued her offensive exploits to open the 2025 campaign Thursday in the home debut of head coach Jessica Giegucz, scoring twice in the opening 45 minutes. The Dukes were buzzing in the early going and collected 26 shots in the first half, with Matesa breaking the ice at 26:40. Going one-on-one with a defender, Matesa broke free and was able to slip her first goal of the game past SFU goalkeeper Emma Sawich to give Duquesne a 1-0 edge. She completed the brace less than five minutes later. Junior Kayla Leseck and Matesa have developed a connection in the early going of the new season, with Leseck again finding the senior forward in front of the net. Matesa capitalized, scoring to push the Duquesne advantage to 2-0.
 
QUOTABLE
"They're executing and implementing our style very well," Giegucz said. "They're really starting to grow into it, and I'm really proud of them overall. Maya has been doing incredible. I'm most proud that she's able to take on some coaching pointers. Her execution and self-belief are really strong right now. She's had a mentality shift that is not only benefitting her but the team."
 
GRILL AND CHILL
A total of 20 student-athletes saw action Thursday in the 2025 home opener, yet it was another senior that put an exclamation point on the victory. In an open field, junior Anna Bundy fed Leseck, who found senior forward Brianna Moore racing down the sideline. Moore uncorked a rocket that got above the outstretched arms of Sawich, giving Duquesne the margin of victory. Dating to last season, each of the last eight goals scored by the Dukes have been from a member of the senior class.
 
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"I have an attacking mindset," Giegucz said. "It's great to see our team thinking about going forward and putting teams under pressure and creating a lot of great chances and opportunities. Overall this team has really adapted to change very well. From the spring until now. They're unified. I think you can do a lot with a team when they believe in each other and want to work together."
 
MOVING ON UP
Matesa is the second player for the Dukes in as many years to score four goals in the first two games of a season, joining former forward Margey Brown (2022-24), who turned the trick last season. Thanks to the early outburst, Matesa has not only moved into the top 10 in program history for points but is within range to finish in the top five. The two goals Thursday for Matesa expands her career point total to 38, tied with Morgan Herbert (2009-12) for sixth in program history. The 16 career markers for Matesa also ties her for sixth in the career record book with Herbert, Lauren Bracco (2000-03) and Faye Rasmussen (2004-07).
 
NOTES
In her first start at home, junior goalkeeper Ali Hughes registered a clean sheet … The Duquesne defense was dominant, not allowing a shot in the first half and yielding just four in the contest … Off the bench for the Red Flash, Maridza Desir logged three shots after the break … Senior Jenna Santiago, who missed last season due to injury, saw her first action since Nov. 1, 2023, playing 39 minutes … Sophomore Taylor Coulter, who also missed last year with an injury, made her NCAA Division I debut and logged 11 minutes … Junior Paige Kuisis led all reserves with 42 minutes played … Duquesne fashioned a 29-4 edge in shots and notched 13 corner kicks compared to none for the Red Flash … Logging a full 90 minutes for Duquesne was midfielder Jayden Sharpless and defenders Lindsay Krafchick and Eva LaVecchia.
 
UP NEXT
The Dukes return to the road for their next two contests, beginning Sunday, August 24, with a 1:00 p.m. match at Mercyhurst. Duquesne will also visit West Virginia Thursday, August 28, as part of its two-game swing.
 
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