Duquesne Women’s Soccer Poised For Next Step

As the Duquesne Women’s Soccer Team met as a group, seeking to determine a key core word and as ideas popcorned around, a central concept immediately began to become a realization.

Adaptability.

Of course, adaptability can come from the technical aspect of playing several different systems and styles, but it in this case, it is more encompassing than that.

“I think our team, especially this preseason we’ve seen how many injuries we sadly have had, and I think it’s a big thing for us,” sophomore forward Hailey Longwell explained. “We really want to be able to adapt to any environment, any circumstances we’re kind of dealing with, whether on the field, off the field or in game situations. We want to be able to adapt to anything that comes our way.”

The Dukes have several injuries with varying levels of severity to overcoming in the spring, with all 22 rostered players who were healthy, all competing in an exhibition against Robert Morris.

Overall impressions of that 5-0 victory were positive from coach Al Alvine as a lot was imprinted from the two-a-day preseason practices.

Alvine felt the run of play, more specifically the fluidity improved by the final 30 minutes of the contest.

Some of Alvine’s reaction was measured because the game was of no consequence in terms of overall record but expressed his joy in coaching his team.

“In my experience, you’re only limited by how hard you’re willing to work and these kids are willing to put it all on the line,” he said. “Not just now but a lot of them put the work in this summer with training. They want to be successful and want to get to that next level in conference this year. They’re super coachable, they always want feedback and are very receptive to constructive criticism so they’re a great group to coach. They’ve got great personalities.”

It has become clear in these couple of weeks that this team considers the overall team aspect as a strength and hopes that can also translate to wins on the field as well.

“We are such a family and everybody here on this field has each other’s backs,” admitted Longwell. “If something’s not going my way one day, I know that my teammate standing next to me will help me get through it or help pick up where I’m kind of down. That’s why we’re so optimistic about it.”

These last couple of seasons have been about growth on the field and off and have resulted in consecutive Atlantic 10 Championship appearances.

Last season, Duquesne won its first championship game since 2017, a clear sign that the pendulum has fully turned and the Dukes look to capitalize.

All three of Duquesne’s top point scorers return in Maya Matesa, Brianna Moore and Anna Bundy, as do other goal scorers in Margey Brown, Lindsay Krafchick, Jayden Sharpless and Kayla Leseck.

Captain Mackenzie Muir and Libby Majka, also point scorers from a season ago return as well.

Maddy Neundorfer returns in goal, having started 20 games a season ago, recording 98 saves including multiple stops on penalty kicks. Her steadiness in goal, growth between the frames and overall work ethic have given Alvine confidence.

Additional returning pieces which had extended roles a season ago are Eva LaVecchia, Mackenzie Leeder, Emily Eustace and Emma Hospodka each of whom played in at least 10 games a season ago.

Also Duquesne has added multiple new assistants in Bri Murgi and Sasa Miskovic. Speaking on Murgi, Alvine praised her hard-working ability, tireless recruiting efforts and the relationships she has already built with the team.

“That was a great addition to the program for us,” stated Alvine.

As far as standouts in practice settings, Alvine has expressed happiness with the collective effort but also singled out Leseck, Krafchick, Muir and Longwell who as a sophomore is poised to play a major role in her first collegiate action.

“The last couple of years we’ve really built something here and for us it’s playing for ourselves but also for each other on this field,” Longwell determined. “We have the people to go far and be successful and I just feel like after the last couple of years we’ve really grown. We don’t like losing and are pretty competitive too.”

LONGWELL FINDS HER WAY BACK TO PITCH

Hailey Longwell does not need to look far when it comes to finding motivation to push that much more, in fact it has consistently been written on her armband since freshman year of high school.

“For me, it always kind of meant no matter what find a way to win, find a way to get through it,” she explained. “Some nights I can’t put it on frame or it’s just not going your way. If you can’t do that, then find another way to help the team or get through what you’re going through.”

Longwell’s ability to find a way back onto the field after two ACL surgeries, the most recent of which occurred in May 2023,

“It’s definitely been a long road, especially coming back from an injury like an ACL tear but all of the girls on this team have been so welcoming, even though I was out and unable to be a part of the team on the field, everyone was supportive,” analyzed Longwell. “I learned to find happiness outside of the field because growing up, soccer is all I know. Being away from it so long it made me appreciate it so much more.”

Spring soccer was crucial for Longwell as it was her first action in a Duquesne uniform and through all of the ebbs and flows of recovery, this was what pushed her.

Longwell admitted that she had to be patient and give herself grace throughout the recovery process, and despite having recovered from the first ACL surgery and knowing what to expect, it still came down to acceptance from the familiar feelings of pain, heartbreak, disappointment, loneliness and doubt.

“(It’s) remembering to take it one day at a time,” she said. “There’s going to be ups and downs but it’s definitely well worth it, especially if I can get through it once, I did my other ACL a couple of years ago so I could do it again and come back stronger.”

When Alvine named players who had impressed and stepped up, Longwell was the first name mentioned.

This was something which brought a quick smile to her face, before also deflecting to her teammates, calling them “great”.

“It means a lot to me,” concluded Longwell. “I still have a lot to prove but it means a lot, especially coming from him after getting back.”