DAVIDSON, NORTH CAROLINA - Davidson (8-5-2) continued their winning streak with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Duquesne (8-5-2) on Saturday evening at Alumni Soccer Complex. The match featured intense back-and-forth action with both teams creating multiple scoring opportunities throughout the 90 minutes.
Nicholas Alvaro Zeballos put Davidson ahead in the 38th minute, capitalizing on an assist from Myles Culley. Duquesne responded through Alex Posada in the 42nd minute, with Bendix Bennetzen providing the assist. The decisive goal came late in the match when Brady McGlone found the net in the 82nd minute, assisted by JP Ramos Mora and Nicholas Alvaro Zeballos.
The first half saw Davidson establish early control, with Brady McGlone testing the Duquesne defense with two dangerous shots in the 3rd and 11th minutes. Duquesne's Grant McIntosh responded with a threatening attempt in the 14th minute that sailed high. The tactical battle intensified when Davidson made multiple substitutions around the 22nd minute, bringing fresh legs into their attacking lineup.
Second half action intensified as both teams sought the winner. Aiden Boudro created several opportunities for Davidson before being substituted in the 68th minute. The match's complexion shifted after yellow cards to Nico Quanbeck (54th minute) and Ashwin Menon (84th minute) highlighted the growing tension. Davidson's pressure finally paid off with McGlone's late winner.
The statistical breakdown favored Davidson, who outshot Duquesne 17-8, with 9 shots on target compared to Duquesne's 2. The visitors held an advantage in corner kicks (8-6), while both teams received two yellow cards each. Davidson's goalkeeper made one crucial save, while Duquesne's netminder recorded seven stops in a busy performance.
Brady McGlone emerged as the match's standout performer, recording three shots on target including the winning goal. Nicholas Alvaro Zeballos demonstrated his playmaking ability with both a goal and an assist. For Duquesne, Alex Posada showed clinical finishing with his goal, while their goalkeeper's seven saves kept them competitive throughout.
The tactical approach from Davidson focused on sustained pressure and quick transitions, evidenced by their 17 shot attempts. Duquesne adopted a more defensive stance, looking to strike on counterattacks while maintaining defensive discipline. The strategy was effective until McGlone's late breakthrough.
This victory extends Davidson's impressive winning streak to six matches, showcasing their growing momentum in conference play. For Duquesne, the defeat ends their two-game winning run but demonstrated their resilience against a in-form opponent.
The match featured several momentum shifts, with both teams enjoying periods of dominance. Early substitutions by Davidson coach Mike Babst proved crucial in maintaining their high-pressure approach, while Duquesne's defensive organization kept them in contention until the final minutes. Notable performances from midfield players like Ben Minikel-Lacocque and Ayman Maadir helped control the tempo throughout various phases of play.
Looking ahead, Davidson will aim to extend their winning streak when they host High Point on October 28, while Duquesne returns to action on November 1 against George Mason, seeking to bounce back from this narrow defeat.