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#PGHSOCCER COLLEGE GAME OF WEEK PREVIEW: Pitt-Duquesne Women To Battle for Bragging Rights

Pitt (0-0-1) vs Duquesne (0-1-0)
6 pm kickoff – Ambrose Urbanic Field (Oakland)
Broadcast/Live Feed: ACC Network Extra via WatchESPN or the WatchESPN App


Key Storylines / What’s at Stake
Both teams opened their 2016 campaigns with mixed results on Friday.  
Now they each get a chance to get bragging rights in their first in-season match since 2014 when Duquense defeated Pitt 1-0 in 2 OT.
The resurgent Pitt women, which had a turn-around season in 2015, played to a 2-2 tie against Michigan on the road Friday evening.
This will be the home debut Sunday for Pitt as they take on cross-town rivals who will make the short trip up Forbes Avenue. 
In their tie at Michigan, freshman Alex Wright and sophomore Alli Higgs recorded their first career collegiate goals, and Pitt head coach Greg Miller was pleased with the result.

“I’m really proud of the team for them to set a precedent of how hard we’re going to work and for battling on the road to get a point against a very good Michigan team,” said Pitt head coach Greg Miller.

Miller and his staff enter their fifth season at the helm of the Pitt program, as the squad is coming off of its most successful season in program history.  In 2015, Pitt recorded a program-best record of 10-7-1, grabbing four wins in ACC play (4-6-0).
The Lady Dukes weren’t as fortunate in its home opener on Friday, losing 2-0 to Central Michigan at Rooney Field. 
After Friday’s loss, Duquense Head Coach Al Alvine is confident his team will be ready to take on its crosstown rivals.

“We have a day to recover and a day to get ready for Pitt on Sunday, which is going to be a very difficult game. We have a resilient bunch of kids and I’m sure we will bounce back.”

The Dukes were picked to finish sixth in the Atlantic 10, despite winning the conference championship last season and sophomore forward Katie O’Connor and junior midfielder Linnea Faccenda appeared on the A-10’s Preseason Team  
Alvine’s contract was recently extended through the 2021 season.  This year Duquesne returns 22 players and eight starters from last season’s conference champion team, losing just nine total players and three starters
 ALL-TIME SERIES
· Pitt holds an 8-3-0 all-time advantage over the Dukes in a series dating back to Pitt’s 1996 inaugural season
· Duquesne came away with a 1-0 2OT win in the teams’ last meeting on Aug. 24, 2014 in the Steel City Classic
· Prior to Duquesne’s 2014 victory, Pitt had rattled off eight consecutive victories

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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