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FINAL: Pitt 2, Duquesne 0

IN-GAME UPDATES:

2nd half

8:43 pm – GOAL – Pitt. Panthers now lead Duquesne, 2-0.

The second goal of the night for Madeline Gravante, with the assist from Juliana Vasquez.

Gravante, a freshman from Staten Island, New York, is finding her comfort at the Petersen Sports Complex.

Halftime

Madeline Gravante’s first goal of her college career is the difference in this match right now. This City Game has 45 more minutes of action left, unless Duquesne can find an equalizer.

1st half

7:31 pm – GOAL – Pitt leads Duquesne 1-0

a brilliant pass from Ari Morgan to Madeline Gravante, who finished it with a rocket of a shot. There was no way that Kyra Murphy was getting a save on that. Starting off the play was Mikayla Alcorn.

PREVIEW

The City Game (women’s edition) – Pitt (3-2-1) vs Duquesne (2-2-0)

Ambrose Urbanic Field – 7 p.m.

Familiarity breeds contempt. Well, at least in the case of the City Game match-up between Pitt and Duquesne, there are a lot of players on both sides who know an awful lot about each other and would love to have bragging rights for the next year.

This year’s showdown really will take on new meaning, as both sides suddenly feature a host of players on its rosters from the Pittsburgh area that have played with and against in WPIAL and for top club teams in our region.

Duquesne has played Pitt on level footing in recent years. Even with Pitt’s addition of a new coach with a very impressive resume and credentials, Randy Waldrum, who brings lofty expectations, this appears to be another pretty even tale of the tape between the two sides.

Just two years ago, Pitt didn’t have a single player from Western PA on its roster. This year they have five.

Duquesne, which has built a winning program in coach Al Alvine‘s seven years, didn’t have any when he took over the program, but now features 14 players from our region.

“That was a real priority for us to make a concerted effort to get the best local kids to come here,” Alvine said last month. “You saw that with Casey Aunkst and with Kyra Murphy, Abby (Losco)… Deena DeBaldo. Then you look at the freshmen we have on this year’s team including the Riverhounds kids. We are thrilled to be getting good, quality kids from Western Pennsylvania.”

Here’s the full list of WPIAL players from both sides:

Pitt:

  • Aideen O’Donoghue (Canon-Mac / Riverhounds Academy)
  • Jamie Frank (Kiski Area / Riverhounds Academy)
  • Maddie Clayton (Waynesburg / Soccer Vision Academy, OH)
  • Alexis Bengel (Highlands / Riverhounds Academy)
  • Dixon Veltri (Fox Chapel / Beadling SC)

Duquesne:

  • Casey Aunkst (Penn-Trafford / Beadling SC)
  • Lauren Bell (Hickory / Beadling SC)
  • Ashley Brisco (Ringgold / Beadling SC)
  • Abby Losco (Hopewell / Beadling SC)
  • Deena DeBaldo (Fox Chapel / Beadling SC)
  • Lexy Kendro (Norwin / Riverhounds Academy)
  • Tori Kopchak (Mars / Beadling SC)
  • Kyra Murphy (Canon-McMillan / Beadling SC)
  • Bella DeFabbo (Seneca Valley / Beadling SC)
  • Alyssa Victor (Norwin / Riverhounds Academy)
  • Marley Smith (Norwin / Beadling SC)
  • Hannah Nguyen (Penn-Trafford / Riverhounds Academy)
  • Sophia Rizzo (Oakland Catholic / Century United)
  • Sydney Routch (Holidaysburg / Beadling SC)

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PITT NOTES

Pitt (3-2-1) returns home this week to enter the final stretch of non-conference action, kicking things off Thursday against cross-town rival Duquesne (2-2-0). The Panthers are coming off a tough road trip in Texas after being shut out 4-0 by TCU and dropping a 4-1 decision to North Texas.

Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Amaia Pena played the first half against TCU, tallying four saves, before being replaced by freshman Katherine Robinson, who recorded three saves. Robinson would make her first collegiate start against North Texas, again tallying three saves, as Pena would start the second half, recording a pair of saves.

Senior forward Mikayla Schmidt registered her first goal of the season and the only goal this weekend for the Panthers in the Sunday finale at North Texas. On the season, freshman Anna Rico is pacing the Panther offense, having recorded three goals

DUQUESNE NOTES

The Dukes (2-2-0) are coming off a 1-0 win over Binghamton after having a game against Ohio State cancelled due to weather.

The Dukes’ young defense, led by freshmen Kayla Winicki and sophomore Missy Moore, has been solid as they held Binghamton’s leading goal scorer to two shots and have allowed just 13 total shots over the last two games.

Photo credit: Zachary Weiss

RELATED: Murphy sets record in 1-0 Duquesne victory

Senior keeper Kyra Murphy became Duquesne all-time leader shutout leader in the win over Binghamton, now owning 22 career shutouts. Murphy has recorded 360 minutes of playing time this year and is on a two-game shutout streak. She was also named the A-10 Defensive Player of the Week this week for the second time in her career.

PITT vs DUQUESNE OVER THE YEARS

The game will be the 14th all-time meeting between the two teams in a series dating back to the 1996 season.

The Panthers own a 9-4-0 all-time advantage, including a mark of 5-2-0 at home. Pitt has won nine of the last 11 meetings, but has fallen in the last two on its home field.

Last season’s match-up was a thriller as the Panthers downed the Dukes in double-overtime at Art Rooney Field at Duquesne.

RELATED: Kardesler’s strike leads Pitt to City Game win over Duquesne in 2OT

Then freshman Vildan Kardesler netted the game-winner for the Panthers — earning a chance to do a post-game interview with yours truly.

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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