Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University women's soccer team wrapped up the home portion of its 2026 regular season Sunday, falling to Saint Louis, 2-0, at Rooney Field. The Dukes dipped to 5-8-4 (.412) overall this year, including 2-4-3 (.389) in the Atlantic 10.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
The Billikens were able to grab the lead just 42 seconds into the contest. Hope Kim broke free down the near sideline into the corner and placed a cross into the box. Adee Broesder was in position on the opposite side, connecting for a shot that got past senior goalkeeper
Ali Hughes to give SLU (11-2-4 | 7-0-2) a 1-0 advantage. Despite the early conversion for Saint Louis, Duquesne steadied and was able to generate opportunities. Less than five minutes into the contest, senior
Kayla Leseck was able to fire a shot that just missed to the right of the goal, while a shot from junior
Kaitlyn Killinger was stopped by SLU goalkeeper Pepper Escher. The duo of Killinger (4) and Leseck (3) combined for seven of Duquesne's 10 shots in the contest.
QUOTABLE
"We looked very composed under pressure defensively, and I thought they did a very good job when they found the ball picking out the correct combinations and passes," head coach
Jessica Giegucz said. "Obviously the score line isn't in our favor, but mentally we rebounded well. It's very easy to crumble (after the early goal), but our team didn't do that. Their pace of play is really high, but I thought our team balanced it out really well. I've tasked them with just enjoying the moments they have right now on the field, because we don't have anything guaranteed."
STOP SIGN
Saint Louis held a 25-10 advantage in shots, with 15 of the shots for the Billikens on frame. Hughes established a career high in saves Sunday in her final home game at Rooney Field, finishing with 13. In addition to marking the first time Hughes has registered double digits in saves, it also marks the highest total since former keeper Vanessa Perdomo posted 14 in a 1-1 draw against Dayton in Davidson, N.C., in the quarterfinals of the 2015 Atlantic 10 Championship. The Dukes won that contest over the Flyers in a shootout, 3-2, with the 14 saves for Perdomo setting an A10 Championship standard. The 13 saves for Hughes is tied for fourth in the single-game records along with Devon Tabata, who notched 13 saves at Dayton Oct. 21, 2012.
QUOTABLE
"We don't want our goalie facing 15 shots in a game," Giegucz said. "We've given up more shots this year than I, obviously, would like to, but having Ali, she controls the box really well. Having Ali in net, she's so talented. We're very fortunate for her performances throughout the season."
NOTES
Saint Louis grabbed a 2-0 lead at 49:21, as Audrey Smith scored off a header from Caroline Chier after a corner kick … The shot from Smith was stopped by Hughes, but the ball went over the goal line to give the Billikens a 2-0 edge … Hughes finished with nine saves in the second half … A total of five Dukes played a full 90 minutes, including Leseck and seniors
Anna Bundy,
Jayden Sharpless and
Kiley Johnson as well as freshman
Lily De Jesus … SLU owned a 7-4 edge in corner kicks.
UP NEXT
Duquesne closes out its 2026 regular season on the road, traveling to Philadelphia, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 31, for a Noon tilt against La Salle at McCarthy Stadium.
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