The City Game Men’s Soccer Edition Preview: No. 10 Pitt face test to unlock unyielding Duquesne defense

When No. 10 Pitt and Duquesne step onto the pitch at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Tuesday night, they won’t just be renewing a rivalry that dates back 30 years to 1996.

They will be showcasing two of Western Pennsylvania Men’s Soccer Division I programs that have high standards and aspirations to not only be at the top of their conference standings, but chasing national promenence.

While Jay Vidovich has elevated Pitt into a perennial College Cup contender and ACC titan, Duquesne head coach Chase Brooks has quietly executed a transformation of his own on the Bluff. In recent seasons, the Dukes have knocked off national powers, earned national rankings, and proven to be an elite launching pad for professional talent—most recently, Jayden Da (New England Revolution/NE Revolution II) into the pro ranks.

Both sides enter Tuesday’s derby riding immense momentum. Pitt (7-2-2, 3-1-1 ACC) is without a loss in its last five ACC contests following a 3-0 clean sheet over Virginia Tech. Duquesne (6-2-2, third in the A-10) arrives fresh off a historic 3-1 comeback victory over Dayton, snapping a 20-year drought against their conference archrivals.

Speaking with PSN’s Zac Weiss after defeating Dayton, Brooks embraced the underdog role across town:

“Games like Pitt, games like West Virginia, Penn State this year, those are the fun games because all the pressure’s on them. That’s it. So, we get to show up and represent ourselves and do the best we can.”

That mindset is shared across the Dukes’ locker room. Senior co-captain and West Allegheny product Jaxon Ervin and forward Cody Da didn’t hide their excitement for the matchup when catching up with PSN after Saturday’s win.

“The confidence from George Mason carried into Dayton… Our confidence is high,” Ervin said. “We’re going to go there, we’re going to play our style, and yeah, we’re excited. It’s a derby. It’s always a derby. They got us in the spring, so we’re definitely looking to get that back.”

“We’ve been asking for a schedule like this—a tough schedule to play tough opponents and good teams,” Da added. “It makes going into the next game that much more exciting, knowing we have a ranked opponent that we’re trying to go and beat, knowing we can go and take it at their home.”

Pitt head coach Jay Vidovich, speaking with PSN’s Tunde Akinlosotu following Friday’s 3-0 win vs Virginia Tech, recognized the magnitude of the local showcase:

“The Duquesne match is exciting for the city. With the quality they’re having, they’re having a tremendous season… I really am dialed into Duquesne because it’s going to be a big match. I hope that Steel City comes and supports it for college soccer in the city.”

Tactical Chess Match: Possession Dynamics vs. Defensive Fortress

Tuesday’s clash presents a compelling contrast in tactical identity.

Pitt’s engine revolves around its signature possession-heavy style—wearing opponents down, committing numbers into the final third, and playing with courage on the ball.

The key focal point in Vidovich’s attack this season has been freshman forward Mamadou Tall. The former Kiski School standout has provided a mature physical presence, holding up play, stretching defenses, and pacing the Panthers with five goals, two assists, and 12 points.

Complementing Tall on the wing is senior playmaker Anders Bordoy, whose directness in 1v1 situations has unlocked opposing low blocks to the tune of a team-leading 5 assists and 13 total shots. When teams try to clamp down on Tall, sophomore Albert Thorsen (3 goals, 6 points) and Miguel Bertran (2 goals, 2 assists) step up to punish overcommitments.

Duquesne, meanwhile, operates with structural discipline that makes them nightmare to break down. The Dukes enter the match ranked tied for 6th in NCAA Division I soccer in goals allowed conceding just seven goals across ten matches. They nearly went the distance in shutting out West Virginia in Morgantown and have limited opponents with a deep rotation of center backs and disciplined team defending.

When Duquesne transitions forward, senior attacker Cody Da leads the line with four goals and 9 points on 13 shots, while Marko Rasmussen (3 goals, 6 points) provides a clinical secondary punch on set pieces and counterattacks. Team co-captain Jaxon Ervin (1 goal, 3 assists) serves as the heartbeat in midfield, connecting defense to attack.

Pitt’s been equally resilient and difficult to break down this season, sitting 17th overall nationally in goals allowed (9) against one of the toughest schedules in the NCAA (Pitt’s RPI has been as high as 2nd, currently 6th)  weathering a few storms including earning a point on the road at Syracuse when they played the last 49 minutes down a man.

Deep Local Roots & WPIAL Connections

Beyond the tactical clash, the City Game serves as a celebration of the region’s soccer ecosystem. Players across both rosters share histories dating back to youth academies, WPIAL high school rivalries, prep schools, and summer competition in USL League Two and the NPSL.

• WPIAL & Prep Pipeline: Pitt’s attack features local standouts in Anders Bordoy (Kiski Area), freshman Carter Kopay (Moon Area), Alex Hauskrecht (Winchester Thurston), and Mamadou Tall (The Kiski School). Duquesne counters with a strong Western PA core led by co-captain Jaxon Ervin (West Allegheny), freshman defender Nico Simakas (North Catholic), midfielder Jack Karwoski (Quaker Valley), and defender Luke Fiscus (Hampton).

• Summer Connections: A large contingent of both squads spend their offseasons training and competing side-by-side in Pittsburgh’s summer ecosystem with Steel City FC and Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2—including Pitt netminder Jack Moxom, Niklas Sørensen, Duquesne veteran defender Ashwin Menon, and Duquesne goalkeeper Sam Coss.

While Pitt holds an 11-0-2 all-time series advantage, the gap between the two programs on the pitch has narrowed significantly. In the last meeting between the two programs, Pitt scored twice in the second half for a 2-0 victory Oct. 17, 2023, at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

With both squads possessing top-20 national defenses and postseason ambitions, Tuesday’s showdown at Ambrose Urbanic Field has all the makings of a classic.

By The Numbers: Statistical Leaders

No. 10 Pittsburgh Panthers

• Points Leader: Mamadou Tall (12)

• Goals Leader: Mamadou Tall (5)

• Assists Leader: Anders Bordoy (5)

• Shots / Shots on Goal: Mamadou Tall (19 / 8)

• Game-Winning Goals: Mamadou Tall (2), Albert Thorsen (2)

Duquesne Dukes

• Points Leader: Cody Da (9)

• Goals Leader: Cody Da (4)

• Assists Leader: Jaxon Ervin (3)

• Shots / Shots on Goal: Cody Da (13 / 5), Marko Rasmussen (11 / 6)

• Defensive Metric: Tied-6th in NCAA Division I in Goals Allowed (7)

Match Details

• Match: No. 10 Pitt Panthers vs. Duquesne Dukes

• Date: Tuesday, Oct. 13

• Time: 7:00 PM ET

• Venue: Ambrose Urbanic Field (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

• Broadcast: ACC Network Extra / Pittsburgh Soccer Now Coverage

John Krysinsky

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).