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Duquesne Men’s Soccer Defeats Power Five Opponent For First Time In 19 Years

Photo Courtesy University of Michigan athletics

The Duquesne Men’s Soccer Team saw its season get off to a positive start winning on the road 1-0 Thursday afternoon against a Michigan squad picked fourth in the Big Ten Preseason Poll.

Duquesne, which was 2-7-1 on the road a season ago, continued its preseason momentum against a Power-Five program, winning its first such contest since 2003.

“It shows how competitive they are to the process of winning, the process of defending well and the process of looking towards the future,” Duquesne coach Chase Brooks told PSN after the game. “This was a group that was very committed today of defending the defensive side of the ball. You’re going to bend here and there, that’s fine, but we didn’t break.”

Duquesne’s goal was scored by Torge Witteborg in the 36th minute, his first in three seasons as a Duke, with Nate Dragisich and Cameron Territo each earning assists.

Statistically speaking, Duquesne withstood 12-2 corners and 21-8 shot disadvantages

“We talked about set pieces a lot this preseason, making sure we challenge everything,” said Brooks. “We know it’s impossible to win every header, impossible to clear every ball the first chance, but we were there to challenge. That’s what we need if we want to continue moving forward.”

One thing that Brooks stated after the West Virginia exhibition game was how difficult it was going to be to determine a starting 11 and traveling roster.

What Brooks went with for starters is below, with Zach Mowka, Ryan Goodhew, Tate Mohney, Jacob Casha, Anthony Harding, Logan Muck and Jayden Da rounding out those who saw time Thursday.

“I told the group when the message first went out to them that this was the hardest travel squad that I’ve ever had to pick,” Brooks said. “There are so many guys that are deserving of opportunities right now. We have a deep squad that wants big things. Ultimately at the end of the day it came down to the defensive side of the ball and the fitness to be able to cover the ground and who has that desire to refuse to lose.”

When Brooks checked his phone after the game, many of the first texts he received came from players who stayed home and did not make the trip.

Even though those individuals did not play, Brooks believed their impact was just as vital as those on the field.

“It all matters,” he said. “We’ve been working the last two weeks and building up to this moment. It’s not a fluke, it’s us putting the work in and sacrificing the time and energy to support each other and that’s what it takes in environments like this and ones we’re going to see in the future.”

Now Duquesne will continue to take to the road in its second of three consecutive road games, when it faces Canisius.

“The guys are in a good spot right now mentally and emotionally,” Brooks stated. “They’re excited and it’s deserved. These are results you have to hang your hat on and build on. The message again was this being a step along our path. If we want to do that, we need results like this.”

GAMEDAY INFO

Duquesne starters (1-0-0)- Domenic Nascimben (GK), Christoffer Vie Angell, Jesper Moksnes, Torge Witteborg, Maxi Hopfer, Elmar Jonsson, Harper Cook, Nate Dragisich, Ask Ekeland, Cameron Territo, Hugo Snowden

Michigan starters (0-1-0)- Hayden Evans (GK), Jason Bucknor, Nolan Miller, Quin Rogers, Inaki Rodriguez, Bryce Blevins, Cameron Martin, Kevin Buca, Nicholas Kaloukian, Dubem Obilo, Brennan Callow

Goal- Torge Witteborg DUQ 36′

Assists- Nate Dragisich, Cameron Territo

Yellow cards- Harper Cook DUQ 31′, Christoffer Vie Angell DUQ 53′, Hugo Snowden DUQ 63′, Evan Rasmussen MICH 83′, Elmar Johnsson DUQ 86′, Maxi Hopfer DUQ 89′

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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