First Place Duquesne Men’s Soccer continues home field Success

The No. 24 Duquesne Men’s Soccer team had a brief huddle after stretching out, having bested Davidson 1-0 in a Saturday night, Atlantic 10 battle and before breaking down as a team, everyone chanted, celebrating remaining in first place.

Head coach Chase Brooks’ bend-don’t-break philosophy may not have been tested more than it was Saturday as Davidson peppered the goal with 20 total shots, but none found the back of the net.

While Brooks was not happy about the second half of the game, he was very pleased with the defensive effort.

“That type of effort on the defensive side of the ball shows just how engaged this group is, just how much they believe in what we’re trying to do and just how much they want to win,” he determined. “The desire is there to do the not-so-fun stuff. Nobody really wants to put their body on the line, except crazy people like myself, I liked doing it when I played too. It’s a testament to the squad, hardworking group and a lot of fun to be around.”

The victory successfully places Duquesne into the Atlantic 10 Championships and gives it 10 consecutive triumphs on Rooney Field, a streak dating back to last season, which matches a program best.

Duquesne’s triumph also is its 10th of the season, achieving double digits for the third time in the last four seasons.

“Last year was my first year and it was a few of our first years,” junior midfielder Grant McIntosh explained. “We were told Rooney is our home, our place to play and you get here, and you feel it’s our home. Last year we had our ups and downs, and we rode a roller coaster. This year, myself included, we can all just feel there’s something about Rooney, something about us being here.”

This game also was a measuring stick for a Duquesne side which understands it will get each opponent’s best shot, not just because of the ranking or placement atop the conference standings, but rather due to there being two games in the regular season and teams jockeying for seeding and a spot in the championship.

Davidson plays more directly making getting to first and second balls pivotal if three points are desired. This style of play will be something frequently seen in the final three games, so continuing to challenge and imposing will is crucial towards overall success.

Throughout the season Duquesne has proven to be a motivated side. Though a ranking is not the end-all-be-all for them, there has been a feeling among the players that it deserved to be voted one of the top 25 teams in the country and it left a sour taste in their mouths when that was not the case..

“We kind of used it as fuel,” revealed McIntosh. “We had a sour taste in our mouth after Notre Dame, after a lot of games that we’re pushed into that. On this campus there are a lot of teams that aren’t valued, and I think getting a little taste of value goes a long way with us. We want to have that every week, we want to be recognized.”

This contest was Duquesne’s first since besting #13 George Mason and practice saw an intensity and quality that had all involved optimistic for Saturday’s contest.

That translated into the first 20 minutes of the game, which is where Duquesne got its breakthrough on the scoresheet.

After registering his first career point with the game-winning assist, Blaize Hardy was at it again as Bendix Bennetzen and McIntosh got the ball in the box. Hardy’s header comfortably found the back of the net.

“During the season I’ve had multiple chances where I’ve had my head on something, and it hasn’t gone in,” Hardy analyzed. “It felt good, can’t complain about that. Our practice yesterday was all about set pieces and getting energy up and I feel like that translated to the game.”

Brooks feels that Hardy has been playing with confidence as of late and now it is starting to click.

“It’s just nice having a guy like that in your program, high character, hard worker, just a happy-go-lucky guy and I’m happy to see things clicking on the field,” he remarked.

For his part, McIntosh has adjusted into a midfielder spot, something Brooks stated was more suited for him. Last year’s team did not provide an opportunity for him to get into that spot, but a deeper team and a talented backline has allowed him to play up more and his ability to check off several boxes keeps him in the starting 11.

McIntosh stated of the position change that he feels a lot more comfortable and himself in the midfield.

Duquesne went into halftime up 1-0, but those 20 minutes set a tone. Hardy’s goal would be the Dukes lone shot on frame in this contest.

“It is a testament to who we are and the intensity and quality that we play with,” McIntosh said. “I think you’ll see a lot more of that.”

Davidson picked up its attack coming into the locker room. It would fire 20 shots, including one in the box during the first half off a corner kick which Duquesne goalkeeper Zoltan Nagy saved and put out of play.

The Wildcats got into the box for a look and Nagy was out of position, but Hardy was in the middle of the frame and saved a potential equalizer.

Duquesne’s defense had to rise to the occasion, specifically in the second half, but time and again it was up for the task.

When the clock struck zero and the usual Freed From Desire play, Duquesne danced, once again knowing that three points were secured.

“Us having the willingness to win and keep that going is a testament to us,” illustrated McIntosh. “We love it. We want to be in a leading position, and we want to be in control.”

What’s more is Duquesne is not just winning, but having fun doing it together. It will get another chance to do just that Tuesday in a non-conference matchup against Northern Kentucky which will kick off at 6 p.m.

“I’m enjoying it,” Hardy concluded. “The last two years I really didn’t play impactful minutes, but having an impact on the season here, everyone is. The team camaraderie is great, I love it.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Duquesne starters (10-2-1/5-1-0 A-10)– Zoltan Nagy (GK), Christoffer Vie Angell, Jesper Moksnes, Grant McIntosh, Dakota Jonke, Bendix Bennetzen, Maxi Hopfer, Ashton Jell, Jaxon Ervin, Ashwin Menon, Blaize Hardy

Davidson starters (4-5-4/3-3-0 A-10)– Lucas Beltran (GK), Ayman Maadir, Eamon Moylan, Denis Krioutchenkov, Vincent Bennage, Myles Culley, Jack Brown, Brady McGlone, Baylen Young, Nico Quanbeck, Alonzo Clarke

Goal– Blaize Hardy DUQ 10′ 1st

Cautions– Dakota Jonke DUQ 21′, Ayman Maadir DAV 29′, Marko Rasmussen DUQ 44′, Alonzo Clarke DAV 49, Jaxon Ervin DUQ 73′, DUQ 88′

Shots– Davidson 20 (5 on frame) Duquesne 4 (1 on frame)

Corners– Davidson 8 Duquesne 3

VIDEOS

https://youtu.be/b08Q2HTsiVQ?si=Lhn6IS9ORBYLZon0

Zac Weiss