Bluff vs The Bronx: Top-Seeded Duquesne hosts Fordham Tuesday afternoon in A-10 Semifinal showdown

The postseason journey on the Bluff reaches a dramatic new chapter this afternoon.

For the first time since 2022, the Duquesne University men’s soccer team is appearing in the Atlantic 10 Tournament Semifinals, hosting No. 6 seed Fordham today at 1:00 p.m. at Rooney Field.

Top-seeded Duquesne (10-5-2) punched its ticket to the semifinals in gritty postseason fashion last Friday night, defeating No. 8 seed La Salle 1-0. Redshirt freshman defender Steel Bayer delivered the game-winning moment in the 76th minute, rising to head home a corner-kick service for his first career collegiate goal. Meanwhile, redshirt senior goalkeeper Sam Coss and the stellar Duquesne backline pitched a clean sheet—allowing zero shots on goal—to secure the program’s first conference tournament win in four years.

Now, head coach Chase Brooks and the regular-season champions turn their sights to a formidable adversary from New York: The Fordham Rams (7-7-2, 4-3-1 A-10).

MATCH DETAILS & WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Matchup: No. 1 Duquesne Dukes vs. No. 6 Fordham Rams

• Date & Time: Today, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. ET

• Location: Rooney Field | Pittsburgh, Pa. (The Bluff)

• Coverage: Live on ESPN+ | Live Stats on GoDuquesne.com

MATCH UPDATES / HIGHLIGHTS

Check back later on this thread for live updates, match highlights and more as Zac Weiss will be at Rooney Field to provide on-site coverage Tuesday afternoon.

KEY STORYLINES & TACTICAL BREAKDOWN

1. Overcoming History Against the Rams

While Duquesne captured the A-10 regular-season crown with an impressive 6-2-0 league mark (18 points), history reveals a tough hurdle ahead today. Fordham holds a 13-8-4 advantage in the all-time series, and the Rams have proven to be a tricky postseason matchup—including a 3-0 quarterfinal win on the Bluff back in 2024. Fordham advanced to today’s semifinal by pulling off a 1-0 upset over No. 3 seed George Mason on Friday behind a late penalty kick from Rayane Tchemmoun.

2. The Defensive Anchor

Duquesne’s success all season has been anchored by an elite defensive framework. The Dukes boast a 0.81 team goals-against average (leading the A-10) and 17th nationally in save percentage (.791). Coss has played every single minute between the posts (1,530 minutes), racking up eight shutouts—tied for fourth-most in a single season in Duquesne history.

3. Building on Momentum & Trusting the Process

Reflecting on Friday’s quarterfinal win and the grueling battle to get here, Coach Brooks emphasized that postseason soccer requires mental toughness, regardless of style.

“We knew it was going to be a difficult game,” Brooks stated after the La Salle win. “At the end of the day, you’re in the postseason, you’ve got to find ways to get results. We knocked on the door a few times tonight and thankfully we kicked it in.”

With Fordham coming to town, Brooks knows the Rams will present unique tactical challenges. “Fordham is a very good side, they’re going to throw us some curveballs we may have seen or haven’t seen, so we’ve got to be prepared to step out onto the field and get the job done,” Brooks said.

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).