Ekeland’s brace lifts Duquesne to crucial 3-2 victory vs George Washington

The Duquesne Men’s Soccer Team saw its three-game losing streak come to an end, triumphing 3-2 over George Washington on a rainy Saturday evening at Rooney Field.

This victory places the Dukes in a three-way tie for fifth place in the Atlantic 10 conference with 10 points.

“Every A-10 game is tough and college soccer is tough in general,” Duquesne coach Chase Brooks said. “I’m proud of the guys it was a total team effort. Everybody that stepped on the field played their role and worked their butts off. What can you ask for?”

Duquesne was immediately tested as 104 seconds into the contest, GW scored.

This occurred when Louis Saville was the beneficiary of a Nico Medina shot deflecting off two Dukes and into his waiting foot.

As Duquesne looked to regroup, there was some temporary frustration which gave way to a more organized attack.

This would pay off as in the 29th minute, a foul in the box sent Cameron Territo to take a penalty kick. He fired a shot under the crossbar, beating the goalkeeper who guessed low left.

'29 | GOALLL

Penalty kick taken by Cameron Territo

DUQ 1, GWU 2 pic.twitter.com/akgEBGqBjF

— Duquesne Men's Soccer (@DuqMSoccer) October 14, 2023

“That’s what it’s about right,” asked Brooks. “The bend don’t break mentality. Things aren’t going to go your way all of the time. That’s part of life, that’s part of the sport, that’s just the way that it is. You can let it affect you or you can let it motivate you.”

Territo’s goal is his second of the season and first since the season opener at James Madison. The senior’s tally makes him the third Dukes to achieve multiple goals on the campaign.

GW, more specifically Saville responded quickly, taking 1:33 to angle a kick off of another Duquesne defender.

The eventful first half concluded with Ask Ekeland corralling a centered pass from Nate Dragisich in the 37th minute, pushing play towards the goal, ultimately burying an effort into the lower-right portion of the goal.

Both teams would retreat to the locker room to strategize.

Soon after the second half commenced, Ekeland was at it once again executing a give-and-go with Tate Mohney to perfection as the lower-right finish was a carbon copy of the aforementioned score.

'47 | GOALLLL

Another goal by Ask Ekeland!

DUQ 3, GWU 2 pic.twitter.com/fg10i7G7lk

— Duquesne Men's Soccer (@DuqMSoccer) October 15, 2023

This goal was the game winner, as Duquesne braved the elements and played together to secure a positive result.

Ekeland’s two goals make it his third multigoal game of the season and give him eight on the season, placing him second in the conference.

Another encouraging performance came from freshman defender Jack Jennings, who set a career high with 38 minutes.

Brooks cited his insertion and several others in the opening half as a turning point in this contest.

“I thought JJ played really well and he has been playing well with his minutes all season,” Brooks assessed. “You’re seeing now that he’s earning more minutes as the season goes on and it’s been really nice to see.

“Everybody that came off the bench in the first half really started to turn the tide and get the momentum in our favor.”

Duquesne will next drive up the road for a Tuesday night edition of the City Game. The 7 p.m. kick can be viewed on ACCNX.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Duquesne starters (6-5-2/3-2-1 A-10)- Christoffer Vie Angell, Sam Bennett, Jacob Casha, Cameron Territo, Ben Pleavin, Ashton Jell, Ask Ekeland, Anthony DiFalco, Zoltan Nagy (GK), Grant McIntosh, Jayden Da

George Washington starters (2-8-4/0-5-1 A-10)- Tom Macauley (GK), Sean Vaghedi, William Turner, Tim Neumann, George Vincent, Louis Saville, Mark Nakamura, Nico Medina, Colin Prendergast, Carter Humm, Yago Torres

Goals– Louis Saville GW (1st 1′) Cameron Territo DUQ (2nd 29′), Louis Saville GW (2nd 30′), Ask Ekeland DUQ (7th 37′), Ask Ekeland DUQ (8th 47′)

Cautions– Ask Ekeland DUQ 30′, Tom Tzabari DUQ 46′, Yago Torres GW 44′, Mark Nakamura GW 45′, Christoffer Vie Angell DUQ 52′, Tate Mohney DUQ 57′, Lucas Matuszewski GW 76′

Shots– George Washington 12 (6 on frame) Duquesne 11 (5 on frame)

Corners– Duquesne 7 George Washington 2