Duquesne Survives Scare, Beats Davidson 1-0
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- If having more possession and shots was a surefire route to winning a match Davidson would’ve left Rooney Field with a stunning victory over No. 24 Duquesne, but that’s not the case. You have to hit the back of the net to win games, and only Duquesne was able to do so on Saturday night.
It was a header in the 11th minute from defender Blaize Hardy that gave the Dukes the 1-0 win over the Wildcats in Atlantic 10 conference play.
The header came from a set-piece cross just under 35 yards out from Grant Mcintosh, as Hardy was able to loop it over Wildcats goalkeeper Lucas Beltran and into the top-right corner.
“I always joke with him (Hardy),” Duquesne goalkeeper Zoltan Nagy said, “because on headers he always closes his eyes before he heads it in, but (he) kept his eyes open this time.”
Despite being outshot 20-4, the Dukes were able to keep the Wildcats scoreless on the night.
“There were so many blocked shots out there tonight,” Duquesne Head Coach Chase Brooks said. “To me, again I just think that’s a credit to our guys and our group. They understand the defensive effort that it takes.”
One of the Wildcats biggest chances came from a corner in the 20th minute when Nagy acrobatically tipped a header from midfielder Alonzo Clarke over the bar. The shot was headed toward the top-right corner.
“His shot-stopping ability is pretty-darn awesome,” Brooks said. “It's just nice to have somebody with the size and presence of him behind you, and you know you can trust (him). It puts the back line at ease for sure.”
Davidson spent the majority of its time with the ball in Duquesne’s half, but only five of its shots hit the target. In the 47th minute one of those shots slipped past Nagy, but it was cleared off of the line by Hardy.
Hardy transferred from Virginia Commonwealth in the summer, and has already become a mainstay in the Dukes starting 11.
“He got his chance in preseason with an injury,” Brooks said. “He hasn’t looked back. He’s just stepped in seamlessly.”
The goal was the only shot on target for Duquesne, and is Hardy’s first for the team.
“I didn't even know how I was going to celebrate,” Hardy said. “You saw me hit like five different celebrations over there, but I mean I was just happy to get my first one for the team and the match.”
The win keeps the Dukes undefeated at home this year, and gives them their 10th straight home victory dating back to last year.
“You love your home right?” Brooks said.” And so you take care of your home. And ultimately, we’re out here everyday.”
Clarke had another chance to equalize in the 87th minute as he dragged a speedy cutback cross well wide of the goal from less than 7 yards out. Most of the chances for the Wildcats came from inside the box, with Clarke having four of his shots from inside the box, and the Wildcats earning more corners than the Dukes by a count of 8-3.
“We talk a lot of times about bending and not breaking,” Brooks said. “That’s pretty much what that was right? So, you’re allowed to bend – you just can’t break.”
The Wildcats tested the Dukes ability to defend in the air the whole game, sending in long throws, deep crosses and low crosses from the flank.
“Can’t unfocus because every moment counts in these types of games,” Hardy said, “especially the conference games.”
The game was a physical battle, as the Wildcats had 13 fouls compared to eight from the Dukes. Both teams also had multiple yellow cards.
The Dukes received their first national ranking in two years on Monday as they were ranked 24th.
“You know everybody has a target on you,” Brooks said. “You’ve got to show up and just be you.”
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