Weiss: Duquesne Collective Takes Important Steps

Photo credit: Pittsburgh Soccer Now/Zachary Weiss

Just days before the Duquesne men’s soccer season started, its coach Chase Brooks explained that this squad would not be as reliant on one or two players, rather the entire group which he called collective and within minutes it was clear just how bought in his team was to that statement.

The first test came with Brooks determining who his first starting 11 would be.

Of course, there were likely to be some harder conversations, but the coach and his staff preach honesty and everyone both on the pitch and bench were unified for a common cause.

Immediately upon the first answer, both Bendix Bennetzen and Grant McIntosh, part of the team’s leadership group, who were tasked to speak following a 3-0 win over Seton Hill Thursday on Rooney Field, there was immediate recognition of that collective with three unique goal scorers in Hakon Dagur Matthiasson, Jaxon Ervin and Tyler Kato, a sign that from the top on down, that collective is being embraced.

For Dagur Mattiasson and Kato, it was each’s respective first collegiate goal.

That acknowledgement is encouraging as the duo recognizes that anyone can step in and create a difference, either seen or even unseen.

These are behaviors within Duquesne’s principles which are winning attributes that will need to be mastered come Atlantic 10 play.

The communication was the best it has been through two witnessed exhibition games and this season opener. It was far from perfect as there was still some negative talk during stunted runs of play, but Duquesne consistently controlled possession early and often, an area Brooks wanted to see improved Thursday afternoon.

As was the case with the women’s game that preceded it, the men had 20 players see the pitch including Ofek Sasson and Sergios Feneridis, encouraging signs as Brooks still determines who can provide the best punch towards what his team needs to be.

Brooks has long maintained that one way or another he need everyone on the roster and that anyone can expect to have his number called at any time and with a nearly clean bill of health, Duquesne is close to that.

The competition Sunday afternoon will be significantly tougher as it will be Darby Day on Rooney Field against Robert Morris. Those returning are certainly well aware of last season’s 3-0 setback to a team which ultimately made the NCAA tournament last season.

It will be the next step in a game which is about pride and city and Rooney Field provides a unique advantage, though the Colonials played there this past spring.

This game will be crucial for the Duquesne collective to see how it stacks up

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Duquesne starters (1-0-0)- Blaize Hardy, Ofek Sasson, Grant McIntosh, Hakon Dagur Matthiasson, Bendix Bennetzen, Ashton Jell, Jaxon Ervin, Miles Imparato, Ashwin Menon, Diego Chavez (GK), Alex Posada

Seton Hill starters (0-0-0)– Jannik Reiss (GK), Ron Klinger, Felix Knorn, Julian Marker, James Aubrey, Vasilis Christodoulou, Isaac Foster, Zach Redden, Toby Dance, Keegan Amos, Tate Hywood

Goals– Hakon Dagur Matthiasson DUQ 1st 9′, Jaxon Ervin DUQ 1st 27′, Tyler Kato DUQ 1st 84′

Cautions–Ashwin Menon DUQ 29′, Isaac Foster SHU 66′, Sam Coss DUQ 73′, Chris Duran SHU 79′

Shots– Duquesne 25 (9 on frame), Seton Hill 3 (2 on frame)

Corners– Duquesne 7 Seton Hill 1

VIDEOS