Duquesne W Soccer Recognized By A-10 For Historic Season

Tuesday was a day where a trio of Duquesne’s Women’s Soccer players received recognition from the Atlantic 10 Conference coaches including a first ever accomplishment in the program’s history.

Maya Matesa was selected as the Atlantic 10’s Offensive Player of the Year and also was an All-Academic Team selection. Brianna Moore and Mackenzie Muir both were named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team.

For Matesa, these awards cap off not just a career, but a family legacy as her father Greg was on Duquesne’s swimming team.

The forward set single-season program marks with her 17 goals and 39 points, while also tallying five assists. Her six game-winning goals this season led the A-10. The 39 points were 12 more than her closest conference pursuer.

Matesa was named the Atlantic 10’s Offensive Player of the Week on three separate occasions and scored 29 goals in her Duquesne career, a program record. The Lebanon, Ohio native also ranks second behind Audra Mathews with her 209 shots and 69 points.

Her spot on the all-academic team comes with a 3.44 cumulative grade point average as a marketing major.

“Duquesne has been more than just a place to compete, but it’s been a family,” Matesa told PSN. “Being recognized alongside my teammates is the perfect reminder of how far we’ve come together. Getting Offensive Player of the Year is something I’m really proud of. Duquesne has helped me grow so much as both a player and a person and I’m thankful for everyone who’s supported me along the way.”

Moore set a career high with 19 points and matched her personal best with eight goals this season. A Palmerton, PA native, Moore ranks third in program history with 22 goals and her 51 points ties her for fourth place with Linnea Faccenda.

Additionally of the 82 shots she fired, 40 were on target and she started in 45 career contests.

“When asked to reflect on my time on the field at Duquesne, the past four years have been everything I have dreamed of and more,” determined Moore. “From the moment I stepped on the field as a freshman to my last time on the field as a senior, I have grown so much as a player and a person. Duquesne women’s soccer has provided me with so many opportunities, lessons, memories and most importantly my best friends. The senior class has been nothing but amazing and I’m so happy I was able to spend four years with them. 

 “This year has been one of the most successful seasons in Duquesne Women’s Soccer history and I am so proud to have been part of the team’s successes. We embraced a new formation, finished third in the regular season rankings when we were ranked 10th in the (Atlantic 10) preseason poll, and broke records along the way. This is a testament to our belief in each other and in the process. Although we fell short in the playoffs, we have so many positives to take away from this successful season. 

 “To end my career with being selected for the All-Atlantic 10 First Team gives me such gratitude and pride. It was an amazing accomplishment to complete my soccer career. I want to thank my teammates, coaches and trainers for being such a vital part of my success as I couldn’t have done it without them.”

As for Muir, she scored three of her six goals this season as a result of a penalty kick, while two of her scores were game winners, bringing that total to eight all time.

An Avon, Ohio native, Muir has been a captain for Duquesne and started 68 of a possible 70 matches throughout her career.

“I think this is a perfect ending to our career,” Muir thought. “Maya has worked extremely hard all four years. I’m extremely proud of her and I think she’s so deserving of this. Same with Bri. Her work ethic and drive are what got her that award and I’m so honored to share it with her. Looking back at our season, I am proud of what we accomplished as a team, not just from the seniors but from each and every person. Everyone contributed to our team’s success and that’s what made our team so cohesive and like a family. I’m really going to miss everyone.”

Together Matesa and Moore became Duquesne’s most dynamic duo with 120 points and that total only increases to 161 when Muir is factored in.

Duquesne’s season, which concluded in the Atlantic 10 Championship quarterfinals, saw it tie a program record with 12 wins under first-year coach Jessica Giegucz.

Zac Weiss