Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University women's soccer team opened Atlantic 10 play Sunday, posting a 3-0 victory over Richmond at Rooney Field. Thanks to the win, the Dukes improved to 6-2-1 (.722) overall during the 2025 season and, in improving to 4-0 at home this year, have outscored their opponents at Rooney Field, 14-1.
 
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
An efficient offense was on full display from the start Sunday against the Spiders, as the Dukes continually applied pressure, which led to the first goal of the contest just over 10 minutes into the contest. That strike was historic, with senior forward Maya Matesa corralling a loose ball in front of the net and burying a shot with her left foot at 10:18 to stake Duquesne to an early 1-0 advantage. Entering the contest as the NCAA Division I leader in scoring, Matesa established a new Duquesne single-season record for goals with her 11th of the season against Richmond, snapping a three-way tie atop the list with both Lauren Bracco (2003) and Katie O'Connor (2015). The goal also marks the 23rd over the last four seasons on the Bluff for Matesa, just two shy of the career mark of 25 that is held by O'Connor, who played for the Dukes from 2015 to 2018.
 
QUOTABLE
"Both the first and second half we put one away early, and that was very vital for the success of the game," head coach Jessica Giegucz. "Something we talk about is game management and how we can manage moments of games. Those early goals in both halves were really crucial. I think we all knew that goal was going to come, because (Maya) plays so confidently. It's been fun to be a part of this journey for her. I'm really proud of her for everything that she's doing."
 
MOTOR RUNNING
While Matesa added to her impressive scoring exploits Sunday, Duquesne entered A-10 play ranked in the top five in the country in both shots and shots on goal per contest. The Dukes improved on those averages, unleashing 26 shots against Richmond, including 15 on frame. Adding on to the lead less than two minutes after the break, junior Kaitlyn Killinger provided a cross into the box on a corner kick that found senior forward Brianna Moore. Providing a header, Moore's shot slipped through the hands of goalkeeper Veronica Rrapi of the Spiders at 46:18, stretching the lead to 2-0. Killinger got in on the scoring act with under eight minutes remaining to settle the final score. Off another corner kick, this one from junior forward Kayla Leseck, Killinger tracked the ball down before firing a shot with her left foot that found the back right corner of the net.
 
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"This team is working really hard together," Giegucz said. "We obviously have some very talented individuals, but at the end of the day nothing is more important than the team. It's been really fun to watch how well they've been working together. The girls understand the expectations, so it's continuing to build on what those expectations are. They did not let off the gas pedal. Efficiency is so important in this game, and they've definitely been efficient with their shots."
 
NOTES
The Dukes improved to 13-15-3 (.458) all-time in Atlantic 10 openers ... Duquesne held a 26-3 edge in shots, including 15-1 on goal, and also registered a 12-0 advantage in corner kicks … Rrapi collected 12 saves for Richmond (3-3-3 | 0-1-0 Atlantic 10) … Junior goalkeeper Ali Hughes earned her fourth shutout of the 2025 season, registering her lone save of the contest at 86:59 … Moore ranks second for the Dukes in scoring this season with 10 points, as her goal in the second half was her fourth of the year … Moore moved into a tie for fifth in the career record book for goals (18) with Katie Schwager (2001-04) … The 23 points this season for Matesa is tied for third in the single-season records with both Schwager (2004) and former forward Margey Brown (2024) … Matesa also collected her seventh game-winning strike, which is tied with Morgan Herbert (2009-12) for fifth all-time … Four Dukes logged a full 90 in the Atlantic 10 opener Sunday, including juniors Jayden Sharpless and Reagan Basehore and seniors Lindsay Krafchick and Eva LaVecchia.
 
UP NEXT
Duquesne heads out on the road for its next two contests, with a trip to Washington, D.C., on tap Thursday, Sept. 25, for a 3:00 p.m. game against George Washington.
 
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