College Soccer Central: Weekend Preview as Duquesne and Robert Morris begin conference slate, Pitt Men head to California

Pittsburgh’s Division I college soccer teams will be all over the schedule this weekend, including a packed Saturday slate that includes a home Duquesne men’s and women’s Doubleheader along with both Robert Morris teams in action, as the Men host Oakland in a key early season Horizon League showdown at North Athletic Complex while the women

Then, on Sunday, Pitt men’s soccer team will look to bounce back in the ACC, as they take their longest trip of the season, when taking on California, in Berkley, CA, at 6 p.m.

Below you’ll find out mini-previews for each match.

MATCH 1: Duquesne Women vs. Rhode Island

• When: Saturday, Sept. 19 | 4:00 PM

• Where: Rooney Field — Pittsburgh, PA (Game 1 of A-10 Doubleheader)

• Coverage: ESPN+

Mini Capsule Preview

Duquesne (12-5-2 in 2025) kicks off its Atlantic 10 slate on the Bluff looking to bounce back from a 2–1 non-conference finale loss against Ohio. Second-year head coach Jessica Giegucz’s attack has generated serious volume recently—firing 42 shots over their last two outings (21.0 avg)—led by sophomore Brynn Ramsey, who ranks second in the A-10 with four assists. The Dukes boast a deep attack with eight different goal-scorers this season (including true freshmen Molly Kinsella and Claire Beasley). Senior Jayden Sharpless anchors the midfield in her 65th consecutive career start alongside senior captain Anna Bundy, while senior keeper Ali Hughes (.833 save %, 3 shutouts) holds down the backline.

Scouting URI: The Rams (2-3-3) arrive in Pittsburgh following back-to-back 1–1 draws against Bryant and Brown. Senior forward Nika Jacobs (transfer from Iowa State) leads a balanced attack that has seen nine different players find the scoresheet. URI reached the A-10 Tournament final last fall, but Duquesne has owned recent history at home, winning three straight over Rhode Island—including a 1–0 shutout at Rooney Field in 2024.

MATCH 2: Robert Morris Men vs. Oakland

• When: Saturday, Sept. 19 | 3:00 PM

• Where: North Athletic Complex — Moon Township, PA

• Coverage: ESPN+

Mini Capsule Preview

The Colonials (4-2-1, 1-0-0 Horizon League) host their first conference match of the autumn aiming to reset following a frustrating 1–0 mid-week loss to Mercyhurst where RMU dominated shot output (19–4) but couldn’t convert. Head coach Jonathan Potter has built a formidable fortress in Moon Township, guiding RMU to a 13-6-8 home record since 2023 and maintaining an unbeaten Horizon League home streak dating back to October 2023. Junior forward Anelson Azard leads the charge with four goals, complemented by sophomore John Krug (3 assists) and defender Abdul Kamara (591 mins).

Scouting Oakland: The Golden Grizzlies (2-2-2, 1-0-1 HL) visit after collecting four points last week against Cleveland State (2–0 W) and Northern Illinois (1–1 D), led by redshirt freshman Cal Kurzawa (3G, 1A). This matchup carries huge championship history: RMU defeated Oakland 1–0 in the 2024 Horizon League Championship game behind a Victor Thompson strike and five saves from keeper Josh Lane to capture the program’s first Horizon League title.

MATCH 3: Robert Morris Women at Wright State

• When: Saturday, Sept. 19 | 5:00 PM

• Where: Alumni Field — Dayton, OH

Mini Capsule Preview

RMU (3-3-1) opens Horizon League play riding a three-match shutout streak spanning 281 consecutive minutes, capped by a 1–0 win over UMBC where freshman Julia Becerra netted her first career goal in the 75th minute. Senior goalkeeper Emma Cameron was named Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week after making four saves in the shutout, bringing her GAA to an elite 0.71 (2nd in HL) alongside three clean sheets. Sophomore Madison Sievering leads the team in points (2G, 2A), while senior defender Shauna Gamble has logged every single minute (630) this season.

Scouting Wright State: The Raiders (2-5-1) enter their league opener struggling on a five-match slide, dropping three straight by 2–1 margins. Senior midfielder Caitlin Burger provides the main threat up front with four goals. RMU holds a 4–3 mark against Wright State since joining the Horizon League, with all three Colonial seniors (Gamble, Trethewey, Becerra) having recorded career points against the Raiders.

MATCH 4: Duquesne Men vs. Rhode Island

• When: Saturday, Sept. 19 | 7:00 PM

• Where: Rooney Field — Pittsburgh, PA (Game 2 of A-10 Doubleheader)

• Coverage: ESPN+ / Live Stats

Mini Capsule Preview

The Dukes enter their A-10 opener refreshed after a two-week layoff following a 2–1 road win at Detroit Mercy on Sept. 5, maintaining an unbeaten start (4-0-1 or better) through five matches for the third straight year. Chase Brooks’ squad is exceptionally tough at home, owning a staggering 33-6-7 (.793) record at Rooney Field since 2021. Senior Cody Da has hit form early with two goals—following in the footsteps of his brother Jayden Da (2023 MLS SuperDraft 1st round pick)—while active scoring leader Jaxon Ervin (26 pts) and A-10 weekly honorees Marko Rasmussen and keeper Sam Coss provide experienced leadership. Duquesne is a clinical 34–13 in one-goal matches since 2021.

Scouting URI: The Rams (2-5-0) wrap up a four-game road trip coming off a 2–1 loss at Brown. Junior forward Theo Harris leads URI with seven points (3G, 1A). While Rhode Island leads the all-time series 17-10 and won last year’s clash in Kingston, the Rams will have to contend with a Duquesne program that rarely drops points on the Bluff.

MATCH 5: Pitt Men at California

• When: Sunday, Sept. 20 | 6:00 PM ET (3:00 PM PT)

• Where: Edwards Stadium — Berkeley, CA

• Coverage: ACC Network Extra (ACCNX)

Mini Capsule Preview

Jay Vidovich’s Panthers make their longest road trip of the autumn seeking their first ACC points of the season. After dropping a tight 3–1 ACC opener to #7 SMU at home on Sept. 11, Pitt rebounded with a mid-week non-conference victory over #18 Cornell to steady the ship. With non-conference resume wins over Penn State, Penn, and Cornell already secured, securing three points on the West Coast is paramount to staying on track in the brutal ACC standings.

Scouting Cal: The Golden Bears (2-2-3 overall, 0-1-1 in ACC) host Pitt for their ACC home opener following a trip to Louisville. Cal has proved to be a thorn in Pitt’s side recently, stunning a ranked Pitt squad, 1–0 in Pittsburgh during the 2024 season and knocking the Panthers out 1–0 in the 2025 ACC Quarterfinals. Midfielder Junhwan Park (2 goals) leads a balanced Golden Bears side in what promises to be a physical, tactical battle in Berkeley.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 

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