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Duquesne overcomes rain; Morehead State

Just over a week ago, Duquesne women’s soccer coach Al Alvine was quick to praise freshman forward Brooke Schutter for her return to form upon recovery from a sprained ankle.

On a rainy Sunday afternoon at Rooney Field, Schutter was able to score two goals as Duquesne was able to defeat Morehead State 3-0.

“It felt awesome to get my first career goals at home,” Schutter said. “It’s very exciting for me as a freshman at the beginning of the season and gives me a lot of confidence going forward, especially with conference play starting soon.”

Duquesne (3-3-0) was able to recover from a 2-0 road setback it suffered three days prior to Pitt by maintaining its style of play despite a slow-moving rain event from Tropical Storm Gordon.

“We knew it was important to get a big win today after our game at Pitt,” said Schutter. “With the quick turnaround between games, getting our third big win today helps us bounce back and regain confidence going forward.”

Last season, Duquesne played several games in the rain and even snow in an instance, but this still was an important test, coach Al Alvine felt his team passed.

“I was proud of the way the team handled the conditions on the field today,” he said. “The rain certainly was not conducive to the way we like to play, but we figured out a way to get the goals we needed and get the result we wanted. It was a great response from the disappointment of Thursday’s match. We showed a lot of adaptability and resolve that will serve our young program well as we get closer to the Atlantic 10 Conference schedule.”

The field conditions in fact aided Duquesne’s first tally which came in the 11th minute.

Morehead State goalkeeper Michelle Washburn fell while attempting a goal kick, another clear sign of the wet conditions, and fell into the possession of Duquesne senior midfielder Abby Losco. Losco’s shot was saved by a diving Washburn, but the rebound fell to sophomore forward Tori Kopchak who scored her first career goal.

Schutter’s first score came just 1:34 after coming into the game as a substitute for fellow freshman Alex Saturni.

Freshman forward Hannah Nguyen fired a cross from the left corner and Schutter fired a one-timer off the post and into the back of the net.

Schutter would earn a second goal in the 74th minute off a Losco corner kick. Aunkst found the Orefield, PA native in the box who decisively kicked the ball past Washburn.

Duquesne’s teamwork was on full display in this contest as it was able to amass a season-high 10 points, while improving to 3-0 in home games in 2018.

Senior keeper Kyra Murphy also extended her program record to 23 career shutouts with this victory.

Duquesne next hosts Saint Francis (PA) Thursday at 7 p.m. The Dukes hold an 11-7-1 mark lifetime against the Red Flash but have won the past four meetings.

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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