Jayden Da’s second half brace gives Duquesne 2-1 win at Niagara,

Photo courtesy Duquesne University Athletic Department

Duquesne was held scoreless against Niagara in the first half on Saturday night, but the Dukes fired back twice to hang on for a 2-1 victory on the road over the Purple Eagles.

Duquesne had chances in the first half, but the two golden chances came towards the end of the first half. In the 32nd minute, Tate Mohney set for Ask Ekeland but Niagara goalkeeper Jamie Barry swallowed the ball up with his gut. 12 minutes later, Christoffer Vie Angell took a volley shot towards Barry that was denied.

In the second half, the Dukes took control. Just two minutes in, Jayden Da received a slick pass from Ekeland and he made no mistake, putting it past Barry to give Duquesne a 1-0 lead.

47' | GOALL

Jayden Da scores in his third straight game to give the Dukes the lead!

DUQ 1, NU 0#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/hZu1Zl5Ce8

— Duquesne Men's Soccer (@DuqMSoccer) September 10, 2023

Later in the 67th minute, Duquesne scored once more. Vie Angell lofted a pass down the right side to Anthony DiFalco, who then fed Da in the box where he turned from his back to face Barry, and rocketed a shot off of his hands and into the net.

67' | GOALLLLLLLLL

The man can't stop scoring!

DUQ 2, NU 0 #godukes pic.twitter.com/zFws31pgQU

— Duquesne Men's Soccer (@DuqMSoccer) September 10, 2023

Da’s fourth goal of the year and second of the game gave the Dukes a two-goal lead. It was the first time in Da’s career that he recorded a brace, he also charted a career-high four shots.

Niagara didn’t go away, however. Lucas Fenton ripped a shot from outside the box, and Dukes goalie Zoltan Nagy was unable to hold onto the ball, leaving Felix Kogler unaccounted for in front. He picked up the loose change and cut the lead to 2-1.

Piecarlo Arghittu was close to drawing even for Niagara, but his shot to the bottom right corner of the net was denied by Nagy, and that was the best scoring opportunity they would have the rest of the way.

The Dukes outshot NU 19-11 and 8-5 on goal. Duquesne’s defense did not allow a corner kick, while the attack created five corners on the other end. Ekeland fired a game and career high 13 shots.

Duquesne will return home to start a homestand with Robert Morris on Wednesday, UMass, the A-10 opener, on Saturday, and Xavier on September 19th.