Duquesne goes to the left, beats Akron 2-0

The Duquesne Women’s Soccer Team had a successful home opener, besting previously undefeated Akron 2-0 on Rooney Field Thursday evening.

“I am really happy with them and the way they’re attacking,” Duquesne coach Jess Giegucz explained. “I appreciate how much more attacking minded we’ve been since our Cleveland State game and happy to see them create a lot of opportunities.”

Here are three things to take away from the effort.

THREE TAKEAWAYS

1. This one is called to the left to the left. Duquesne scored both of its goals in a way Beyonce would approve, off the left foot.

Sophomore Brynn Ramsey scored her first career goal seconds into the 11th minute, stopping, balancing and firing a shot from the right side of the field.

Last season Ramsey appeared in nine games and earned an assist. She became a starter in the second game of this season and had two assists against Cleveland State. Thursday was her turn to put one in the back of the net.

Giegucz referred to Ramsey as someone who was fun to watch play, is super dynamic and has a great foundation. Over the spring, she learned more about the defensive aspects and her ability on ball was something Akron struggled to counter.

Kaitlyn Killinger would add the team’s second goal just over three minutes later, with her strike from the left side of the field. Anna Bundy found her on the move and the shot found a home on the back right corner of the net.

This was Killinger’s first goal of the season and fifth as a Duke. She was a key returner from last season’s 12-win team, and her 11 points were the most of those coming back to the Bluff.

“They were beautiful strikes,” analyzed Giegucz. “I actually love that they were both left footed, one from the right side and one from the left. It’s the type of stuff that we work on, so I love to see when they have success with it.”

2. Kayla Leseck was named the 2025 recipient of the Unsung Hero at this year’s Duquesne Awards and Thursday night that was on full display.

After a season in which Leseck had seven assists, she tallied her first on the Ramsey goal. This gives her 11 for her Dukes career, placing her in a tie for seventh in program history with Heather Border, Erin McKane, Erin Marshall and Maya Matesa.

She also had a hard shot late in the second half that just missed the goal. In possession, Leseck pushed the attack forward, spread the ball out, embraced the physicality and did what was needed to help the team secure victory.

“She’s one of the most versatile players I have ever coached so watching her move around the field wherever we need her, I know she’s been named the Unsung Hero before and there’s a reason for it,” Giegucz agreed. “She plays a really selfless game.”

3. Duquesne has an even 2-2 record to start the season as Thursday was the first of a three-game homestand. All told, Giegucz seems pleased with several different facets.

With so much graduating from the program, the group has proven to be very coachable, imply something after instruction. There is still a process of seeing the team play together.

As was the case last year, Giegucz has a back three that has to cover a lot of ground. Returning starter Reagan Basehore, a communicative senior in Kiley Johnson and freshman Addy Mills have held strong in back.

“We’re defending the box extremely well, I think we’re really organized,” Giegucz said. “I don’t think it looks like we get disorganized too often. Our defensive effort is very disciplined so carrying that into games where we’re going to try and attack more and open the game up at times it’s great to see how organized and confident they are.”

A potential shortcoming was after shaking off Akron’s start, the Zips still outshot Duquesne 16-9. A bright spot of that was of the nine shots, six were on frame, showing that when the Dukes take their opportunities, they are making the most of them.

“I love a high percentage,” answered Giegucz. “Our shot percentage right now Is close to 60% or higher and our conversion rate is quite high as well. I like to see them create more chances because then we don’t have to rely on everything being such a high percentage, but I am thrilled with what they are doing in the attacking side.”

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Zac Weiss