Duquesne Men’s Soccer Bests Syracuse Behind Matthiasson’s Breakthrough

Photo credit: Pittsburgh Soccer Now/Zachary Weiss

As a freshman, midfielder Hakon Dagur Matthiasson is in his first few collegiate games but there may not have been a bigger moment thus far than what he accomplished in the 61st minute of Duquesne Men’s Soccer’s road contest against ACC foe Syracuse.

Matthiasson was the beneficiary of the Orange misfiring on a pass inside of their own box.

Duquesne’s press paid off for a fourth time this season as the Icelander got the ball past goalkeeper Thomas Hut.

“He’s just got an old head,” Duquesne coach Chase Brooks told PSN.

“(He’s) levelheaded (with) good composure. To run onto the ball he ran onto tonight and still have the composure to slot it away with his weaker foot, it’s a big moment.”

To that point, Duquesne had not registered a shot on goal and were outfooted 17-4 and 9-2 on frame, but none of that mattered as the Dukes triumphed over the 2022 national champions 1-0.

This win represents Duquesne’s first over an ACC program since Aug. 27, 2023 against Virginia Tech, a contest which technically was a neutral-site affair. The Dukes also have bested Michigan and recorded a draw against Notre Dame, all of these occurring within the last four seasons.

“It was a good team performance that’s really what it comes down to,” determined Brooks. “Guys stuck to the gameplan and worked hard and we knew we were going to battle a team that was incredibly athletic and had a gameplan of their own that would kind of counter what we were going to be trying to do. I give the guys all the credit in the world for sticking to their principles and sacrificing everything for the result.

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Dukes goalkeeper Diego Chavez recorded a clean sheet with his nine saves tying for the second most in his collegiate career, which started at Colorado Mesa University before transferring for this redshirt senior season.

“He’s just a quality goalkeeper and a quality human being,” Brooks confirmed. “I think it showed through tonight, his composure in tough moments in front of a big crowd. Give him a lot of credit, he stepped right in and filled some nice big shoes left by Zoltan Nagy and he’s done really well with his time.”

Duquesne was able to stand tall in the first half, as neither side could break through. During that time Ashton Jell returned to action after missing the Canisius game. Jell played 20 minutes in the previous contest against Robert Morris before departing the pitch due to injury.

In the locker room Brooks intentionally tried to keep the emotions calm and steady, opting to discuss sticking to the principles and his team responded with the game-deciding goal.

This extended road trip has started out with consecutive wins and concludes Tuesday against Mount St. Mary’s.

Brooks believes that these games and results can pay dividends come conference time, all in the name of building momentum and learning about his side.

“You talk before these types of games with your staff and if you win it will be great you learn something about your group,” concluded Brooks. “If you tie, you learn something about your group and you know what? If you lose, that’s great you learn something about your group. I think it’s not getting caught up in who you are in the moment and understanding the bigger picture in games like tonight but still try to stay true to the team and principles, still go for a win and learn something about your group.”

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Duquesne starters (3-0-1)– Blaize Hardy, Ofek Sasson, Grant McIntosh, Hakon Dagur Matthiasson, Bendix Bennetzen, Dakota Jonke, Mathieu Brick, Jaxon Ervin, Ashwin Menon, Diego Chavez (GK), Alex Posada

Syracuse starters (2-2-1)– Chimere Omeze, Ernest Mensah Jr, Tim Brdaric, Nathan Scott, Bright Nutornutsi, Carlos Zambrano, Tim Noeding, Kelvin Da Costa, Sachiel Ming, Tomas Hut (GK), Garrett Holman

Goals– Hakon Dagur Matthiasson DUQ 2nd 61′

Cautions– Grant McIntosh DUQ 69′

Shots– Syracuse 17 (9 on frame) Duquesne 4 (2 on frame)

Corners– Syracuse 6 Duquesne 3