Maya Matesa’s wonder brace powers Duquesne past UMass, 2-1, to advance to Atlantic 10 semifinal round

Photo courtesy Duquesne University women's soccer

Not once, but twice, Duquesne Maya Metesa long distance attempts on goal found the back of the net, powering the Dukes to a 2-1 win at UMass in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Conference Women’s Soccer tournament on Friday afternoon at Rudd Field in Amherst, MA.

With the win, the Dukes (8-7-4) advance to the Atlantic 10 semifinal round, to be played on Wednesday.

All three goals came in the first half and the Dukes defense held strong in the final 45 for their first A-10 playoff win since 2017.

Matesa got the scoring started in the 13th minute with a launch from the near sideline arching over the outstretched UMass keeper and inside the far post.

WHAT. A. SHOT. 🤯

Maya Matesa puts us up 1-0!#GoDukes | @NCAASoccer | @atlantic10 pic.twitter.com/n2o3MnN2NZ

— Duquesne Women's Soccer (@DuqWSoccer) October 27, 2023

Duquesne fended off five shots and a corner kick in the first 20 minutes by the Minutewomen, but Lauren Robles made a quick touch and fired in the game tying goal in the 29th minute.

Less than 30 seconds later, Matesa, who leads the A10 in shot accuracy, was back at it for Duquesne.

This time, the sophomore forward found a slight opening and put a laser inside the top left corner from nearly 30 yards out for her seventh goal of the season and the 2-1 lead.

MATESA AGAIN FROM LONG RANGE‼️

Dukes lead 2-1 in the @atlantic10 Quarterfinals#GoDukes | #A10WSOC | @NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/W46veA5GRt

— Duquesne Women's Soccer (@DuqWSoccer) October 27, 2023

The Minutewomen came out of the halftime break firing. Arguably their best chance to tie the game came in the opening 10 seconds of the half, but it was negated due to offsides.

UMass had a number of dangerous opportunities, including free kicks in the attacking zone and 10 second-half shots, but Duquesne’s back line stood tall.

Despite the 18-7 shot advantage for UMass, the shots on goal were 8-6.

Maddy Neundorfer charted seven saves between the posts for the Dukes. Matesa’s two shots led six shot takers for DU. Jaimi Araujo, Anna Camapanella, Mackenzie Muir, and Kayla Leseck all put attempts on frame.

The Minutewomen did not lose a game at home in the regular season and last lost at Rudd Field on October 23, 2022.

Duquesne advances to the semifinals for the third time in program history. The four remaining teams will be reseeded as the two semifinal matches will be played at the home venues of the two highest remaining seeds.