WOMEN'S SOCCER vs. DUQUESNE
WHERE: Rooney Field; Pittsburgh, Pa.
WHEN: Sunday, October 5 at 1 p.m.
RECORDS: George Mason (4-6-2, 3-1-0), Duquesne (8-3-1, 3-1-0)
LAST MEETING: Mason battled Duquesne to a draw, 1–1, on October 27, 2024
ALL-TIME SERIES: Dukes lead, 5-2-1
WATCH: ESPN+
LIVE STATS
Pittsburgh, Pa. -- The George Mason Patriots (4-6-2, 3-1-0) are back on the road to face the Duquesne Dukes (8-3-1, 3-1-0) in Pittsburgh on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Rooney Field.
The Patriots are looking to build momentum in conference play after scoring a season-high four goals in Thursday's matchup against St. Bonaventure. Mason's offensive form has been especially impressive as of late, scoring multiple goals in four consecutive matches. While defender Zoë Vidaurre and midfielder Molly Starner both registered their first career brace against the Bonnies, six different Patriots have found the back of the net for the Green and Gold this season. Additionally, assists have come from seven different players, highlighting the team's balanced attack.
In the post-game interview following the last match, Molly Starner credited the hard work the entire team is putting in off the field, as well as an "amazing training environment", for the Patriots' mid-season turnaround.
SCOUTING THE DUKES
Sunday's matchup against Duquesne will serve as a crucial litmus test for Head Coach Aaron Brunner's squad to see how they measure up against Atlantic 10 competition. Currently, both the Patriots and the Dukes hold a 3-1-0 conference record. Although, Duquesne has twice as many overall wins as George Mason.
The Dukes lead the A-10 in several key offensive categories, including shots (273), shots on goal (125), corners (94), goals scored (29), and goals per game (2.42). Their defense also averages less than 1 goal allowed per game (0.92).
Duquesne is led by senior forward Maya Matesa, who tops the conference in points (27), shots (66), shots on goal (31), and goals (12) through 12 games played. However, Duquesne's offensive firepower extends beyond just Matesa. Senior forward Brianna Moore ranks second only to her teammate in the A-10 for shots (56) and shots on goal (28), having netted six goals and tallied 14 points for the Dukes. Junior midfielder Kayla Leseck leads Duquense with four assists this season.
On the defensive end, junior goalkeeper Ali Hughes (8-3-1. 0.92 GAA, 0.792 SV%, 6 SO) has started all 12 matches. She has made 42 saves and allowed 11 goals against.
ABOUT THE PATRIOTS
Head coach Aaron Brunner is beginning his second year leading the Green and Gold.
George Mason returns 14 players, with six seniors, six juniors and two sophomores. Seniors include goalkeeper Selamawit Caldart (Shorewood, Wis.), defenders Tessa Niedzwiedzki (Boca Raton, Fla.) and Zoë Vidaurre (Clarksburg, Md.), and midfielders Mia Casciani (Ashburn, Va.) and Rachel Eberly (Denver, Pa.).
Juniors on the team include defenders Julia Bike (Trumbull, Conn.), Ariana Bliven (Parker, Colo.) and Carly Passaro (Farmington, Conn.), midfielders Maria Franjicic (Carlisle, Pa.) and Molly Starner (Boiling Springs, Pa.) along with midfielder/defender Madyson Taylor (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.).
Returning for their sophomore campaigns are Midfielder Isabella Yousefi (Hampton, Va.) and and defender Kate Bowers (Reston, Va.).
The Patriots added 11 players for the 2025 season. Freshman goalkeeper Kylie Brookfield (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) along with midfielders Julia Buono (Oradell, N.J.), Adriana Bonanno (Holly Springs, N.C.) and Kasey Maida (Burke, Va.) are beginning their GMU careers.
Forward Aaliyah Schinaman (San Mateo, Calif.), and midfielders Jordan Felton (Waldorf, Md.) and Ariana Reyes (Washington, D.C.) are graduate student transfers looking to make their mark this season.
Also joining the Green and Gold this season are junior goalkeeper Libby Davy (Adelaide, Australia), sophomore defender/midfielder Gianna Chrapek (Richmond, Va.), redshirt sophomore Mia Arevalo-Delcid (Manassas, Va.), and redshirt freshman Vanessa Sarf (Manalapan, N.J.).
PATRIOTS SCHEDULE
The George Mason University Women's Soccer Team's 2025 schedule features a competitive slate of matchups highlighted by regional rivalries, Atlantic 10 battles, and a strong mix of home and away contests. The Patriots will play 18 regular season matches, including 10 at home at George Mason Stadium.
George Mason began the campaign with a 1-1 draw on the road at William & Mary on Thursday, August 14.
The Patriots wrapped up August with a four-game stretch that included home matches against Delaware and James Madison, followed by road games at Villanova and UPenn.
The Green & Gold rounded out non-conference play in September with a 1-0 win at Loyola Maryland and a 0-0 draw against American.
Mason kicked off A-10 play with a 2-1 home victory over George Washington on Saturday, September 20. Following matchups against Richmond, La Salle, and St. Bonaventure, the Patriots now hold a 3-1-0 conference record.
October will continue to bring the heart of conference play. After a visit to Duquesne on October 5, the Patriots will then host VCU on October 11.
The Green & Gold will close out the regular season with four more A-10 matchups, hosting Davidson (Oct. 16), traveling to Fordham (Oct.19) and Dayton (Oct. 23), and finishing at home against Saint Joseph's on Sunday, October 26.