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The Duquesne Women’s Soccer side was quiet after the game as it did its postgame stretches, nothing needed to be said.
Moments earlier, the team dropped its final home game 3-0 to Saint Joseph’s Thursday evening on Rooney Field. Shortly before that, Rhode Island defeated Loyola Chicago eliminating the Dukes from an opportunity to make the Atlantic 10 Championship.
One player opted not to stretch, processing a disappointing loss, the third in a row at home, after seven victories in a row dating back to last season.
Duquesne had its highest victory total in the 2020’s and enjoyed a strong non-conference slate going 6-1-0, with the loss being a hard-fought battle at Pitt, but now the Dukes sat silently knowing its last game together will be Sunday at George Mason.
“I’m proud of the girls that they never looked back,” interim head coach Dave Gray stated.
“I’m proud that they didn’t give up or show any signs. We just move forward. I’m disappointed we left too many moments on the table, that with the talent we have, we weren’t able to do the stuff we should have done, but this is a good group of kids, they’re going to be successful. We need sort some things out, iron some wrinkles out.”
Duquesne started with an unlucky break in the fourth minute as a bad touch off a Dukes defender’s foot led to a Saint Joseph’s breakaway, which Emily Hanrahan put in the back of the net for her fifth goal of the game.
Just over six minutes later, the Hawks had a corner and benefitted from another bounce in the box as Rachel Brown’s goal put the visitors up 2-0.
Duquesne generated some opportunities prior to halftime, and came into the second 45 with clear energy, putting together legitimate chances, but were unable to finish. The Dukes did outnumber the Hawks in shots 22-12.
Instead, Saint Joseph’s put the game out of reach with Jayda Shehadi’s first career goal in the 66th minute.
“I can’t fault them for anything,” said Gray of his team’s effort this season. “Training last night they were through the roof. They fought and they fought, and they fought, and they just didn’t get bounces. It seemed like every time we had a bounce against us, it ended up in our net and we just weren’t able to get bounces for us. I think that was the tale of the season. It was five minutes here, seven there, six tonight. They never let off the pedal, they’ll come to play Sunday and want to finish strong. I have no regrets with them, I think they gave me everything they had. They showed up every day, were attentive, did all of the things I asked them to do.”
Gray said of Sunday’s 1:30 p.m. kick at George Mason that his side would not approach the game any differently, playing those that are right to play, get after the game and attack the right way.
Though there is still one game to play, Gray did take time to analyze the season and what it taught him, namely the central theme of patience.
“I think I took a lot of things out of this year so far,” he opined. “It’s a matter of some things probably need to change here. We probably need to find a way to revamp some things we were doing, whether that’s within the structure or how we address ourselves in season, with who we’re playing, when we’re playing, how we’re playing.”
Sunday’s game will be the last for Ally Campanella, Mackenzie Leeder and Maddy Neundorfer in a Duquesne uniform.
Neundorfer is currently tied for fourth in program history with 22 wins, has recorded 15 shutouts, good for third all-time and has recorded 251 saves over 4,577 minutes, which ranks fourth.
Leeder has started 44 of the 54 games she has played in, totaling three assists and providing a spark as a captain. She has played 3,767 minutes.
Campanella joined the team prior to last season and started 13 of 36 games in which she appeared, 11 of which came this season, playing in 1,498 minutes.
“Leeder and Maddy have been in the lineup here their entire careers,” concluded Gray.
“Both have been stalwarts, leaders and big parts of what we do here. I think they should be very proud of what they’ve accomplished. They’ve played well, been good leaders, been stoic and Maddy has been one of the best goalkeepers that’s been in the program here. Leeder showed up every day and battled, got after it. Ally was a wonderful signing for us. She came here two years ago, and we kept trying to play her in the center mid and did well there, but this year she says what about me as a center back. She took the position, did really well, had a really fair fight for it with a couple of other players and won the job outright. I thought Ally was great all year. Those three kids will be sorely missed.”
Duquesne starters (9-7-0/3-6-0 A-10)- Maddy Neundorfer (GK), Jayden Sharpless, Kayla Leseck, Margey Brown, Lindsay Krafchick, Hailey Longwell, Mackenzie Leeder, Ally Campanella, Eva LaVecchia, Mackenzie Muir, Maya Matesa)
Saint Joseph’s starters (7-3-7/3-1-5 A-10)- Katie Cappelletti (GK), Ashley Rhodes, Lauren Hatt, Natalie Nevins, Chloe Khelil, Kerri Jackson, Natalee Vicari, Emily Hanrahan, Rachel Brown, Gracie Salais, Sarah Fisher
Goals– Emily Hanrahan SJU (5th, 4′), Rachel Brown SJU (1st, 11′), Jayda Shehadi SJU (1st, 66′)
Cautions– Margey Brown DUQ 31′, Eva LaVecchia DUQ 83′
Shots– Duquesne 22 (7 on frame) Saint Joseph’s 12 (6 on frame)
Corners– Saint Joseph’s 4 Duquesne 3
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