By Teziah Howard / The Jambar
The Youngstown State University women’s soccer team hosted Duquesne University at 1 p.m. Sept. 15. The Dukes came into the matchup with a record of 5-1 and left Farmers National Bank Field victorious in a 2-1 victory over the Penguins.
Duquesne continued its hot-streak, as the win over the Penguins marked their fifth-consecutive victory of the season. YSU falls to 2-4-2 on the season and Duquesne improves to 6-1.
The Penguins saw a majority of shots on goal saved by their redshirt-freshman goalkeeper Maya Naimoli. In total, Naimoli faced 12 shots on goal and posted a career-high of nine saves.
The first points of the matchup occurred in the 38th minute by Duquesne junior forward, Maya Matesa. In her sophomore campaign, Matesa led her team with 39 shots, including 12 shots on goal.
The Dukes added another score in the 76th minute to take the lead. Junior Brianna Moore recorded her sixth goal on the season, and helped her team survive the matchup.
YSU was able to respond to Matesa’s goal when redshirt freshman forward Sara Felder posted her first career goal in the 57th minute. Felder’s goal was assisted by junior midfielder and captain, Taylor Berry.
With Horizon League play commencing, younger athletes will look to captains like Berry for experience and advice. Berry said the Lady ’Guins follow a team motto as the season goes on.
“We go by ‘empty the tank’ and ‘win the race.’ It reminds us that we’re all here for the same reason and that is to go as far as possible and win the championship,” Berry said. “We remind ourselves that those are the things we have to do to get there.”
Leading the team, Berry is joined by fellow captains Emma Rigone and Lianna Van Sice. Rigone is a junior while Van Sice is a fifth-year graduate student.
Rigone said the coaches stress interpersonal communication to their captains so they are able to be efficient role models.
“We work with our coaches and do a lot of mental prep to learn more about ourselves just so we can be the best leaders for everyone else on our team,” Rigone said.
Rigone said she and the two co-captains self-reflect on how they can improve as leaders for the team.
“We work a lot on our own time on leadership skills and what we can do internally to become the best leaders possible,” Rigone said.
As Division I athletes, the physical side of competition is well noticed. However, the mental aspect of sports is taken into consideration as well with YSU’s women’s soccer team.
The Penguins will look to snap their three-game losing streak when they travel to Detroit, Michigan, to face the University of Detroit Mercy today. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., and the game can be viewed on ESPN+.
YSU will return home at 6 p.m. Sept. 26 to take on Indiana University–Indianapolis and will commence the Penguins three-game home slate.