PITTSBURGH – Despite taking an early lead, the Niagara University women’s soccer team (3-2-0) lost its second consecutive game, falling, 4-2, to Duquesne University (2-3-0) Friday at Rooney Athletic Field, on the campus of Duquesne.

Taking an early 1-0 lead, after a counterattack goal by sophomore forward Michelle Del Monte (Mississauga, Ont.) in the 10th minute, the Purple Eagles proceeded to allow four-straight goals to the Dukes, including three goals in a span of seven minutes midway in the second half.

Outshot, 27-12, in the contest, Niagara head coach Peter Veltri was disappointed in his team’s effort in the loss.

"We didn’t play well on the road," Veltri said. "Fortunately, Katy Owings (Annapolis, Md.) played a superb game (in goal)."

Owings made a season-high 13 saves in the loss, keeping the Purple Eagles in the game at times.

Down a goal in the 29th minute, freshman forward Audra Mathews scored the first of her two goals in the contest, hitting a shot off the right post into the net.

With the score knotted at 1-1 entering the second half, Mathews, the Dukes leading scorer (8 points), tallied the game-winning goal in the 76th minute off a 30-yard shot that was able to get past Owings. Mathews would assist a Faye Rasmussen goal just two minutes later, giving Duquesne a two-goal lead with 12 minutes remaining in the game.

Purple Eagles junior forward Brittany Younglove (Red Creek, N.Y.) scored her third goal of the season with a minute left in regulation, however, after a goal by Dukes midfielder Katie Schwager in the 83rd minute, Duquesne still held a two-goals margin.

Both Duquesne goalkeepers, sophomores Virginia Bondi and Rachel Gecik, saw action in the win, with Gecik making three saves for her second win of the season.

Niagara returns to action Sept. 17, traveling to the University of Detroit Mercy for a non-conference game at 2 p.m.