By Zac Weiss for Pittsburgh Soccer Now
Last season, the Duquesne women’s soccer team appeared to be headed for its second Atlantic 10 Championship finals appearance in the past three seasons but with 1:08 remaining in the second half of a semifinal contest against top-seeded La Salle, the Explorers converted a loose ball in the Dukes’ box into the back of the net squaring the match.
Duquesne would lose the game in overtime.
“I think everybody thought we were the better team,” Duquesne coach Al Alvine said. “We were seconds away from winning that game. The returners really have a sour taste in their mouths with how that game ended and are looking to rectify things this year. This is their last chance, so I think they will be ready.”
The setback has brought a determined focus from the returning players which has been ingrained into the 14 freshman players in an effort to earn Duquesne’s second-ever Atlantic 10 Championship.
Duquesne will be tested early on in its non-conference schedule traveling to the Penn State Invitational to play Arkansas and fourth-ranked Penn State.
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