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Duquesne’s fast start earns home-opening win

Prior to Tuesday evening’s game against James Madison, Duquesne Men’s Soccer Coach Chase Brooks was hoping that a return to practice would result in a fast start which would take seven minutes off a set piece to come to fruition.

When junior captain Nate Dragisich took a free kick, sophomore transfer Jesper Moksnes took advantage of James Madison misplaying the ball in the box, with another sophomore transfer Christoffer Vie Angell doing the rest to earn his first goal as a Duquesne Duke.

It took all of 10 minutes to build upon that lead when sophomore captain found freshman Ask Ekeland who played the ball to himself and scored his first collegiate goal.

“We’re having the reputation of becoming a team that is very hard to score against and that’s something we haven’t had for a long time,” graduate student captain Domenic Nascimben said. “Even when we take our foot off the gas, the back six is going to always work for each other. The guys in front of me have been impeccable and it’s been a game changer. I’m really happy that we’re getting that reputation and we fight for each other.”

In a battle of Dukes, it was Duquesne who defended home turf with a 2-0 victory over James Madison Tuesday at Rooney Field.

Duquesne has not lost at home since March 27, 2021.

“Our energy level was good leading up to this game and really good in warm up,” said Brooks. “I felt if we could take that into the first 5-10 minutes, we’d have a good start and thankfully the guys responded in a great way. You want the guys prepared in all ways. We’ve worked for years to try and get that right, and it was a beautiful night out at Rooney Field.”

 

All six of Duquesne’s goals scored this season come from a different player and none of them have come from Atlantic 10 preseason honorees Dragisich and Hopfer, though both have amassed assists thus far.

“We’re a team where you can’t sleep on any one player,” Brooks said. “Certainly, we have guys who will hit the back of the net many times, but this is a team that is finding ways to win and it’s huge for us moving forward.”

Duquesne’s biggest blemish on the scoresheet was a 7-2 corner kicks example, which coupled with an even more severe list at Robert Morris, means that there are some clear areas to correct in the defending third.

Brooks stated prior to Tuesday night’s contest that the time in between games allowed the team to refocus on offense, something which was not possible during the opening-season road stretch.

The crowd itself was filled with student athletes from an assortment of sports and the crowd remained loud for the entire contest.

Duquesne’s start has garnered attention as it is tied with Campbell for fifth place in the receiving votes category, spots away from the top 25. Duquesne also ranks fourth in the Southeast region.

Now as Howard awaits Saturday evening, Brooks looks to continue the program’s best start which matches the 2013 season which was his first season on the Bluff.

“This team is special in the sense that they just bust their butts for each other,” Brooks said. “We’ve bent at times but not broken. This is one of the most fun teams I’ve been around in my time at Duquesne.

GAMEDAY INFO

Duquesne starters (4-0-0)- Domenic Nascimben (GK), Christoffer Vie Angell, Jesper Moksnes, Torge Witteborg, Zach Mowka, Maxi Hopfer, Elmar Jonsson, Harper Cook, Nate Dragisich, Ask Ekeland, Cameron Territo

James Madison starters (1-3-0)- Drew Slack (GK), Josiah Blanton. Alex Krakowiak, Prince Loney-Bailey, Kevin Larsson, Melker Anshelm, Ethan Taylor, Clay Obara, Rodrigo Robles, Demitri Turner, Tyler Clegg

Goals- Christoffer Vie Angell DUQ 1st 7′, Ask Ekeland DUQ 1st 17′

Yellow Cards- Clay Obara JMU 28′, Harper Cook DUQ 48′, Cameron Territo DUQ 57′, Chay Strine 67′, Yanis Lelin 89′

Corners- JMU 7 DUQ 2

PHOTO GALLERY

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Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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