Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University bowling team opened its 2026-27 season this weekend by traveling to Erie, Pa., to take part in the Mercyhurst Invitational at Rolling Meadows Lanes. The Dukes finished second, posting an overall record of 6-3 (.667).
AND WE'RE OFF
Duquesne opened its 11th season of NCAA Division I action in traditional play Saturday, finishing 3-2 in five matches. No. 14 Niagara defeated the Dukes, 962-902, in the first match of the year before Duquesne rebounded to earn a 932-887 victory over Mercyhurst. Le Moyne clipped the Dukes in the third match of the day by three pins, 885-882, before Duquesne rebounded to defeat both Daeman (869-850) and D'Youville (971-739) to close out traditional play. The high game of the day came courtesy of senior
Ivanna Fraticelli, who rolled a 218 against Le Moyne.
MILLER TIME
Taylor Miller opened her sophomore campaign in solid fashion as part of the Mercyhurst Invitational, finishing sixth overall. In five games, she averaged 193.60, knocking down a total of 968 pins. Miller opened the year against the Purple Eagles with a 206 and closed out traditional action in the win over the Saints by firing a 213. Fraticelli and freshman
Rayana Gonzalez finished just outside the top 10 individually, with Fraticelli knocking down 894 pins (178.80) and Gonzalez, in her NCAA Division I debut, finishing one pin behind her teammate at 893 (178.60).
BAKER ROLLS
The Dukes moved to Baker play Sunday, opening with a bye and posting a score of 924. Duquesne followed by earning victories over William Smith (950-947), Roberts Wesleyan (961-907) and Hilbert (888-844) to stretch their winning streak to five and set up a best-of-seven Baker match against Niagara. The lineup in Baker play for Duquesne opened with Gonzalez, freshman
Addison Then, Fraticelli, Miller and freshman
Jacey Thibodeau, with sophomore
Jazmyn Scott sliding into the leadoff position beginning with game three against the Herons. Duquesne posted a 225 in game two of its bye before matching that in game five to seal the victory over William Smith. The Dukes would parlay the performance in the last game against the Herons by posting a 232 in game one against Roberts Wesleyan, the best score of the weekend for Duquesne in Baker action.
THE FINALE
Duquesne would square off with the Purple Eagles again in the best-of-seven Baker in bracket play, with Niagara earning a 4-3 victory despite the Dukes owning a 1,360-1,291 advantage in total pins. Overall during the Mercyhurst Invitational, Duquesne would log an 184.8 per game average, collecting 9,608 total pins in 52 games.
UP NEXT
The Dukes head to Struthers, Ohio, to take part in the Chelsea Gilliam Penguin Classic, which is hosted annually by Youngstown State. Play begins Friday, Oct. 16, and concludes Sunday, Oct. 18.
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