Duquesne men’s soccer improves to 2-0 for second time in three years

The Duquesne Men’s Soccer Team improved to 2-0, doing so for the second time in the last three seasons, after securing a 3-1 victory over Canisius Sunday afternoon at Rooney Field.

Prior to the 2022 season, the Dukes had not won their first two games since the 2013 season, coach Chase Brooks’s first year at the helm of his program.

“We know how fit we are and how hard we worked in preseason,” Brooks stated after the game. “We know that if we can do what we do, we’re going to have a chance to get on the end of things in the box and I think you saw that again today. Just like Thursday night, guys worked their butts off, and we’ll keep building momentum off of that.”

In his second career start, Jaxon Ervin built off the momentum he earned in Thursday’s season-opening victory over Seton Hill, by scoring his first career goal.

Ervin got the ball with space in the box and beat Canisius goalkeeper Jack Petrie low left, after which running towards Assistant Director, Creative Media & Productions Josh Brunette’s waiting camera. When Ervin got closer, he pointed at the camera and was greeted by teammate Ashwin Menon. The two shook hands, with the opposite arm behind each other’s back and bowed, celebrating the opening salvo of this contest.

19′ | ERVIN GETTING US STARTED

DUQ 1, CAN 0#GoDukes | @jaxonervin pic.twitter.com/AE8g6xJNPM

— Duquesne Men’s Soccer (@DuqMSoccer) August 25, 2024

Canisius found an equalizer in the 38^th minute as Mesafint Ellingson scored his first goal with the program.

As was the case Thursday, Duquesne needed a second-half breakthrough to come away with a positive result.

Freshman forward Roni Badler was the recipient of what proved to be the game-winning goal. Once again Ervin charged the box and had an angle which he fed the Israeli. Badler had darted forward, but anticipating the pass took a couple of steps back, ready to strike. Badler timed the pass to perfection, beating Petrie low once again.

Following Thursday’s victory, Badler posted an Instagram story about the game being his first in 1.5 years and the 55^th minute proved to be a breakthrough moment.

The goal also secured consecutive matches where both a rookie and a reserve came off the bench to score a goal.

“He had an injury back home that kept him out,” stated Brooks. “He’s been playing but not actual games for about the 18 months coming over. It was really nice to get him on the scoresheet. When you put the ball in the back of the net, your confidence is going to peak. Nothing but good stuff can happen from there.”

55′ | FIRST CAREER GOAL FOR RONI🔥

DUQ 2, CAN 1#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/F26dkXyxiw

— Duquesne Men’s Soccer (@DuqMSoccer) August 25, 2024

Ervin’s assist gave him four points over the first couple of games.

After being denied by the top crossbar in Thursday’s win, Ali Nasser fired a shot from Maxi Hopfer into the back of the net. Nasser, a transfer from Purdue Fort Wayne earned his first goal as a Duke in the 81^st minute.

81′ | WHAT A GOAL🎯

DUQ 3, CAN 1#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/0XiJJ47ibx

— Duquesne Men’s Soccer (@DuqMSoccer) August 25, 2024

It was Nasser’s first collegiate goal since Oct. 30, 2021.

After a successful opening homestand, Duquesne has a week between games, next facing Xavier on the road. The Sept. 1 tilt will kick off at 3 p.m.

“Now it’s about continuing the momentum and continuing to learn because we have not been perfect, we’ve made mistakes,” Brooks concluded. “We’ve given up a goal in each game and we have to solve that problem. We just keep moving forward.”

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Duquesne starters (2-0-0)- Zoltan Nagy (GK), Christoffer Vie Angell, Jesper Moksnes, Grant McIntosh, Bendix Bennetzen, Maxi Hopfer, Ofek Sasson, Ashton Jell, Jaxon Ervin, Ali Nasser, Ashwin Menon

Canisius starters (0-2-0)- Josh Miller, Kodie Sarkodie, AJ Zarcone, Mason Petrucci, Dylan Rice, Michael Switala, Glodie Mata, Ely Sidibe, Kyle Pollard, Kevin Villacorta, Jack Petrie (GK)

Goals– Jason Ervin DUQ (1^st 19’), Mesafint Ellingson CAN (1^st 38’), Roni Badler DUQ (1^st 55’), Ali Nasser DUQ (1^st 81’)

Cautions– Syndey Aggrey CAN 64’, Grant McIntosh DUQ 79’, Michael Switala CAN 89’

Shots– Duquesne 18 (7 on frame) Canisius 9 (6 on drame)

Corners– Duquesne 6 Canisius 3

Fouls– Canisius 16 Duquesne 6