Duquesne University women's soccer kicks off its 2026 season against Eastern Michigan on August 12. The Dukes had a successful previous season, finishing with a 12-5-2 record and hosting their first Atlantic 10 Championship game since 2017. Under head coach Jessica Giegucz, they look to build on last year's achievements, returning key players such as Kaitlyn Killinger and Kayla Leseck, who contributed significantly to the team's scoring. Duquesne is currently ranked sixth in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll, behind favorites Dayton and Saint Louis.

By the Numbers
  • Duquesne finished the 2025 season with a record of 12-5-2, their highest win total in program history.
  • Killinger and Leseck combined for 20 points last season, with Leseck ranking second in the A10 with 7 assists.
State of Play
  • Duquesne's defense was crucial last season, with goalkeeper Ali Hughes setting a record with 12 wins.
  • Senior Jayden Sharpless enters the season as a key midfield player, having started all 56 games since 2023.
What's Next

The Dukes will continue their season with two additional away games against Cleveland State and West Virginia following the opener against Eastern Michigan, before returning home to face Akron.

Bottom Line

As Duquesne embarks on the 2026 season, the key to success lies in maintaining the momentum from last year and leveraging the experience of returning players while addressing the challenges ahead in a competitive Atlantic 10 landscape.