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Preview: Men’s ‘Cross-Tahn’ Derby renews as Robert Morris hosts No. 18 Duquesne

Photo courtesy RMU Athletics
NCAA Men’s College Soccer

No. 18 Duquesne at Robert Morris

Kickoff 4 p.m.  — North Athletic Complex – Moon Township

Match Stats: https://rmucolonials.com/sidearmstats/msoc/summary

Cross-Tahn Derby Renews

Late Tuesday afternoon is the latest in the all-time series that dates to 1995, Duquesne owns a 19-6-3 advantage over Robert Morris and has won five consecutive matches in the Derby.  The Dukes are 6-5-3 (.536) in matches played in Moon Township. Four games have gone to double-overtime and another two have ended in single-overtime.

Most recently, last season, despite the Dukes going down a man for most of the match, in an intense, physical match, they held on for the victory.

10-Man Dukes Persevere Past RMU in “Cross-Tahn” Rivalry

While both teams are focused on preparing for conference play, so this match will once again be a fun contest for local bragging rights, as many players know each other and in some instances, there are former and current teammates from local clubs or previous schools/youth academies.

Each coach, Duquesne’s Chase Brooks and Robert Morris’ Jon Potter, have each shared with Pittsburgh Soccer Now in recent interviews that this is a match that they look forward to playing each year, especially for the players who are from the Pittsburgh area or have spent additional time competing with local clubs such as NPSL’s Steel City FC.

RMU (1-2-2, 0-0-1 #HLMSOC) is coming off the first conference match of the season.

The Colonials battled to a scoreless draw against Northern Kentucky last week. Goalkeeper Josh Lane made three saves to secure his first clean sheet of the season. Offensively, John Paul Mbuthia led the team in shots with three.

Colonials with local ties include Gabe Norris (Highlands/Steel City FC), who is one of the three team captains, and Kyler Miller (Greensburg Central Catholic).  

In the past few years, the Dukes (4-0-1) have continued to make inroads as a Top 25 level program, and continuing in that direction in 2024, as they are unbeaten through five matches for the second time in three years and third time in the last six seasons after securing a 1-1 draw at last year’s National Runner-Up and ACC power No. 23 Notre Dame.  At the start of the week, Top Drawer Soccer now has the Dukes ranked 18th in their national poll.

The Fighting Irish led, 1-0, before a late penalty kick was awarded to junior forward Dakota Jonke, who scored from the spot to garner the tie.

Late PK equalizer earns Duquesne a hard-fought, 1-1 draw at Notre Dame

Senior goalkeeper Zoltan Nagy matched a season high in saves with seven at Notre Dame. A two-time Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week, Nagy has faced 36 shots over the last two matches, including 15 on goal.

The Dukes with local ties include Jacob Conti (The Kiski School), Jaxon Irvin (West Allegheny), Tate Mohney (Butler), Johnny Dragisich (West Allegheny), Luke Fiscus (Hampton).

Follow Pittsburgh Soccer Now’s Twitter account for updates and post match reaction from North Athletic Complex on Tuesday.  

 

 

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John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

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