Leo Martinez-Valerio | staff writer

The Duquesne women’s soccer team’s season came to a close at Rooney Field on Saturday iin the quarterfinals of the A10 championship. Tears streamed down Dukes’ faces as they realized their historic season came to a heartbreaking end.

The Dukes found themselves down one goal early into the match. In the sixth minute, Fordham’s Riley Carroll fired a shot from the top of the box that ricocheted off the right post and just snuck past junior goalkeeper Ali Hughes.

After only allowing one goal through 110 minutes, Hughes was pulled for sophomore keeper Ayden Gagner to handle the penalty kicks, a choice the Dukes may have regretted.

For the next 35 minutes, the Dukes fought hard not to give up another goal and created chances of their own. Just four minutes before half, the Dukes were able to level the playing field.

Senior midfielder Libby Majka delivered a pass into the box, which was met by junior midfielder Paige Kuisis. Kuisis lofted a header to the top left corner over the outstretched Fordham keeper Kyla King to tie the game right before the break.

After halftime, the Dukes and Rams would go shot-for-shot for the next 45 minutes plus a 20 minute overtime period. The Dukes produced a total of 35 shots, with 15 on goal. The senior tandem Maya Matesa and Brianna Moore combined for 15 of the total shots.

Fordham also contributed a fair amount of shots with 19 total and eight on goal. Although shots were ringing through, they were no match for outstanding goalkeeper performances from both Hughes and King.

King finished the day with a total of 14 saves to keep the Dukes in check. Hughes finished with seven, which tied her career high. One of Hughes’ seven saves would prove crucial in the second half, as she dove out from her line to keep the contest at 1-1.

After all the smoke had cleared, the Dukes still found themselves with the score tied at the end of regulation. After a fatiguing 90 minutes, the Dukes would have to play 20 more to try to advance.

“It was a long match and they put a lot into it,” Duquesne Head Coach Jessica Giegucz said. “Obviously it is very fatiguing, so I am proud of them and all the effort they put in during the match.”

Fatigue got the best of the Dukes and the Rams during overtime, as the score remained 1-1 after the additional 20 minutes. In order to determine a winner, the contest went to a penalty kick shoot out.

Both teams connected on their first five penalty kicks, leaving the fate of the game in each team’s last kick. Rams forward Julia Acosta was able to bury Fordham’s last kick, putting the pressure on Kaitlyn Killinger to extend the match once again.

Killinger lined up for her shot, ready to extend Duquesne’s season another period. But her shot missed wide, giving Fordham the win on Duquesne’s turf after they went a perfect 6-for-6 on their penalty kicks.

Seven Dukes played the entire 110 minutes on Saturday. The defensive back line of senior Lindsey Krafchick, junior Reagan Basehore and freshman Claire Highland locked down the back end for the second half and overtime.

Junior midfielder Kayla Leseck owned the sidelines and racked up five shots, with two on goal. Matesa and Moore applied constant pressure for the whole contest. Junior midfielder Jayden Sharpless played the entire match. The feat makes her the only Duke this season to play to full time in every match on the year.

Despite the loss, Duquesne women’s soccer has had a historic season. Senior forward Matesa broke two records this season, as she became the program’s all time leading scorer with 29 goals.

Matesa added to her stellar 2025 campaign by being named the A10 Offensive Player of the Year, the first Duke to achieve the award. She also earned A10 All-Conference First Team honors, joined by fellow seniors Moore and Mackenzie Muir.

In addition to becoming the all-time leading scorer, Matesa also broke the single season scoring record with 17 goals. The Moore and Matesa duo solidified themselves as the highest scoring pair in team history with 120 points.

“I am really happy with the team this year,” said Giegucz when asked about her first year success. “They have done a lot this year and I am really proud of them and what they have done this season.”

Leo Martinez-Valerio can be reached at martinezvaleril@duq.edu