Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University women's soccer team closed a two-game road trip Sunday by dropping its third consecutive game with a 2-0 setback at Loyola Chicago. The Dukes slipped to 5-7-3 (.433) overall during the 2026 season, including 2-3-2 (.429) in the Atlantic 10.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Scoreless through 45 minutes, the Ramblers, who suffered their last loss August 17, scored twice in the second half to secure the victory. Zoe Hevey dribbled down the far side into the corner before moving patiently toward the far post and lifting a cross into the box with her left foot. On the receiving end was Maggie Schmidt, who collected her fourth goal of the campaign at 54:45 on a header. Just under eight minutes later, Loyola Chicago struck again, as Olivia Beam scored her first goal of the season with a tap-in after a feed from Emily Roberts at 62:30. The score went to video assisted referee (VAR) and, after a lengthy review, the goal was confirmed.
MIX AND MATCH
Looking for a spark, a total of three Dukes were inserted into the starting lineup for not only the first time this season but the first time during their respective career. Sophomores
Julia Bursick and
Grace Ferency each got the nod for the starting 11, while playing in her 43rd career game at Duquesne, senior
Paige Kuisis earned her first starting assignment. Bursick started in the midfield, Ferency at forward and Kuisis on the backline. Through 15 games, a total of six Dukes have started each game of the 2026 campaign, including co-captains
Anna Bundy and
Jayden Sharpless, goalkeeper
Ali Hughes, seniors
Kiley Johnson and
Kaitlyn Killinger and freshman
Molly Kinsella. The trio that were members of the starting 11 Sunday bring the total this year to seven players that have earned their first collegiate start at Duquesne in 2026.
NOTES
Duquesne posted just two shots, its lowest total in two seasons under head coach
Jessica Giegucz … Loyola Chicago (6-2-7 | 3-0-4 Atlantic 10) finished with 22 shots, including six on target … The season-high for an opponent in shots came against Dayton (10/8) with 31, with the performance by the Ramblers Sunday marking the second highest total by an opponent in 2026 … Kuisis logged a career-high 88 minutes … Bundy, Sharpless, Johnson and freshman
Lily De Jesus each played a full 90 minutes … Bundy and Kinsella posted the shots for Duquesne.
UP NEXT
The Dukes return home for their next two games, hosting Davidson Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7:00 p.m. before their home finale against Saint Louis Sunday, Oct. 25, at 1:00 p.m. at Rooney Field.
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