Tristan Huyett | staff writer

When Christoffer Vie Angell’s goal found the back of the net in the 79th minute to tie Saturday night’s match versus Fordham, a large roar erupted from the crowd. While the Duquesne faithful was obviously glad to get on the scoreboard, the goal meant a little more to a certain group in the crowd. Vie Angell’s family was in attendance all the way from Sweden to see the senior’s first goal of the season.

“[It was] emotional,” said Vie Angell. “I’ve been working hard, and they know it, for many years, so it couldn’t have been a better day to get the goal.”

The Dukes’ leading scorer, Maxi Hopfer, is known for his fierce competitive spirit and desire to win, but took just a moment to acknowledge he and his fellow seniors’ accomplishments on Senior Day.

“It’s very nice,” said Hopfer. “I’ve been here for so long, this is my home. I had to put it away and play a soccer game, there’s no time for too much emotion, but it’s beautiful, it’s what it’s all about.”

The match remained in a 1-1 draw after Vie Angell’s goal and solidified a home game for the Dukes in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament, which they would not have had if they hadn’t scored late.

“We’re extremely difficult to beat here,” said Duquesne Head Coach Chase Brooks. “The opportunity to stay home and get a first-round game and really give everything we’ve got to it is what we were hoping for.”

While the draw was all the Dukes needed to secure a home game, Saturday’s match was one that Brooks and his team felt they should have won. Duquesne had several opportunities to score, but other than Vie Angell’s strike, they just couldn’t get it done as the Dukes fell victim to several near misses.

“We know we have the quality,” Brooks said. “Tonight it was just about getting that final shot, that ball over the line, and I give them credit. Fordham is obviously a great defensive team.”

Despite being disappointed in the final score, Hopfer is not letting the game affect his or his team’s mentality going forward, even though their playoff game will also be against Fordham.

“There’s no time to cry,” Hopfer said. “There’s no time to feel sorry for ourselves. Full focus on next game. Give it our all and give them a run for their money for sure.”

The lone goal for Fordham came in the 35th minute, when Fordham’s Daniel D’Ippolito fired a pass into the box which was headed by Luke Pompliano past Dukes keeper Zoltan Nagy.

“You put the ball in the box, good things, or in this case bad things, happen, and ultimately that’s what it came down to,” Brooks said. “We didn’t stop the cross and lost a mark inside the box, that just hasn’t happened very much this year. Again it’s a part of that bend, don’t break mentality.”

The Dukes spent the rest of the match looking for an equalizer which did not come until Vie Angell’s goal, something that while obviously welcomed, the squad wished they could have added more.

“It was a little bit too late,” Hopfer said. “I wish we would have gotten there a little earlier, but [the goal] was a good moment and it ignites the fire in the team for sure.”

Hopfer’s emphasis on taking positives away from the match was shared by his teammates and coaches as they prepare for the playoffs.

“We ended well,” Vie Angell said. “I think there’s a lot of positivity and energy to bring to the playoffs.”

The Dukes were outshot by Fordham 15-13, with the Rams putting six shots on goal to Duquesne’s two. Nagy allowed the lone goal and recorded five saves, with Fordham keeper Alex Dolce stopping one of the two shots he faced.

The tie snapped a program-record 11-game winning streak at Rooney Field dating back to last year. The Dukes are aware of the home field advantage they possess, but remain confident in their ability to play on the road as the A-10s get underway.

“I love to be here and see the fans and our family,” Hopfer said. “But at the end of the day we’re here to win, so it doesn’t matter where we go, we give it a shot.”

The Atlantic 10 Championship tournament gets underway this Saturday at Rooney Field when the Dukes re-engage with Fordham at 7 p.m., in pursuit of their first tournament championship in program history.