Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University women's soccer team concluded its 2026 season Saturday, dropping a 3-0 decision to La Salle in Philadelphia, Pa., at McCarthy Stadium. The Dukes close the year with an overall record of 5-9-4 (.389), including 2-5-3 (.350) in the Atlantic 10.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Scoreless for over 40 minutes, the Explorers, with the top offense in the Atlantic 10 this season, were able to break through at 41:32. A cross into the box by Kennedy Erdman was tipped away by senior goalkeeper
Ali Hughes, but the ball sailed into the middle of the box, with Kayden Williams in position. She controlled the ball before redirecting it into the back of the net to give La Salle a 1-0 edge. The Dukes had opportunities in the second half for the equalizer, but a pair of shots from senior forward
Kayla Leseck missed by mere inches. One hit the post, with another hitting the crossbar.
EXTENSION
La Salle was able to add to the lead late with the Dukes unable to tie it up, as a long outlet pass from Halah Lebsack got behind a Duquesne defender, with Williams winning a foot race. Williams slid the ball to the lower right corner of the net at 77:49 to extend the lead for the Explorers. Williams would put the game away and convert the hat trick under three minutes later. Sienna Mount cleared the ball down field, and Hughes came out to try and grab the ball but was off the line, allowing Williams to grab possession, dribble toward an open net and score at 80:11 to settle the final tally.
SHARP MEET IRON
Few went to the post in program history as much as senior
Jayden Sharpless, who played her final game in a Duquesne uniform at La Salle. She finished with four shots against the Explorers, tied for team-high honors in the contest with Leseck. Yet again, Sharpless logged a full 90 minutes in Philadelphia, Pa., and played all 1,620 minutes for the Dukes this season. It's a trend that dates back to the beginning of last year, as Sharpless closed her career playing a full contest in each of her final 37 games. Included in that stretch is a career-high 110 minutes in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Atlantic 10 Championship against Fordham at Rooney Field, closing her tenure with the Dukes playing 3,350 consecutive minutes. Sharpless, who was a member of the starting lineup in each of her 74 career games on the Bluff, is tied for third in program history for starts with Kate Matuszewski (1996-99) while sitting in a four-way tie for 10th all-time in matches played.
NOTES
For the second consecutive game, Hughes reached double digits in saves, finishing with 10 as well as 23 over the final two contests of the year … Hughes posted 107 saves in 2026 and 177 over the last two seasons … Hughes ranks second in the Duquesne career record book for goals against average (1.21) and fifth in save percentage (.797) … La Salle owned a 19-13 edge in shots, including 10-1 on frame … The Dukes outshot the Explorers in the second half, 11-6, and also finished with a 6-4 cushion in corner kicks … A total of 11 different players scored a goal for Duquesne in 2026, none posting more than two.
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