Culture, Discipline & Depth: Duquesne Women’s Soccer ready for year two under Jessica Giegucz

Last year was a successful welcome for the Duquesne Women’s Soccer Team to the Jess Giegucz era, as evidenced by tying a program record with 12 wins. while also settling team bests for goals and points, leading to hosting an Atlantic 10 Championship quarterfinal game.

“I think that year one was very good from a foundational standpoint,” she remarked. “We had a very good season, but realistically we set a foundation. I am really proud and always am of the team that I had because they left a legacy.”

Picked sixth in the Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll is a sign of respect for what last year represented, a return to form and some program highlights along the way.

A prolific Duquesne offensive attack returns five starters while a lot of youth between last year’s returners and this season’s newcomers all will be competing for spots.

“Change is hard and we have so many new players from last season until now,” said Giegucz. “The spring was very beneficial for the team, the smaller group, but now we have new players again. Honestly, it’s been really exciting to see how everyone has gelled, see some of the leadership qualities on the team and watch them form new relationships on and off the field.”

Among those returning are senior Kaitlyn Killinger who recorded four goals and was consistently able to create her own shot. Another senior in Kayla Leseck posted a team-best seven assists last season and leads the returners in points. Her 10 career assists rank 11th in program history.

Defensively, Duquesne will be anchored by Reagan Basehore, who started 18 of 19 games a season ago. Giegucz noted how much Basehore has improved even from last season, especially in a challenging system for defenders.

Goalkeeper Ali Hughes will get starting honors for a second consecutive season. Hughes was in net for each win, recorded 70 saves, while conceding 1.04 goals per game.

Duquesne named both Anna Bundy and Jayden Sharpless as captains this season. This is Bundy’s second season with the honor and Sharpless’s first after playing every minute of last season.

“They’re awesome, they know the expectations and they lead by example which is also exciting to see,” Giegucz beamed. “If they’re going to be good leaders on the team, they’re not just going to be asking people to do what is expected, they are doing it first and everybody follows from there. Anna in her second season as a captain so she is a veteran, but if you know Jayden she is a veteran leader anyway so it’s awesome to see them working together.”

Here is a quick roster breakdown for the Dukes:

Key returnees– GK Ali Hughes (12 wins, 1.04 goals per game), F Kaitlyn Killinger (4 goals/11 pts), M Kayla Leseck (7 assts), D/M Paige Kuisis (19 games), M/F Anna Bundy (19 starts), F Brynn Ramsey (9 games), M Jayden Sharpless (19 starts/played all 1,730 minutes), D Reagan Basehore (17 starts)

Key departures– Maya Matesa (17 goals/39 pts), Brianna Moore (8 goals/19 pts), Mackenzie Muir (6 goals/13 pts), Libby Majka, Emma Hospodka, Eva LeVecchia (16 starts), Lindsay Krafchick (19 starts)

Newcomers– Emma Van Meter GK (Jr transfer Pitt), Ashlynn Basinger (transfer Cincinnati), Lily De Jesus (FR), Ella Zech (FR), Addy Mills (FR), Emma Sanderow (FR), Grace Fogerty (transfer Minnesota), Sadie Shapiro (FR), Allison Bechtel (FR), Kiley Johnson (transfer UC Upstate), Claire Beasley (FR), Carolyn Arcoleo (FR), Molly Kinsella (FR)

Reason to be optimistic– Giegucz expressed that through exhibition and training her side is an organized one, once again not the easiest thing to be this early with so many learning a new formation. Collectively, the group has raised its IQ and picked up organizational pieces.

Perhaps this is why Giegucz really did not want to reveal early standouts at this juncture, rather crediting a belief system that is in place. Individuals have stepped up but it is because the collective has put in the work.

Early test– Duquesne’s season opener Wednesday at Western Michigan is the first of three consecutive games to be on the road, certainly something that will allow for chemistry to continue to build. The home opener is not until Aug. 27 against Akron in a doubleheader with the men’s team.

Giegucz concedes that road trips are more difficult, however with school not yet in session it tailors to the student-athlete in each.

“There is a lot of growth and development happening right now, we do a lot of goal setting, so hopefully we have a better idea of where we’re trying to go with that,” she wrapped up.