Oct. 9, 2009

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Jeff Pio (Warminster, PA/William Tennent) scored early in the second half, but Duquesne answered less than three minutes later as the Explorers and Dukes played to a 1-1 double overtime tie in Pittsburgh on Friday night in the conference opener for both teams. The Explorers are now 4-5-2 (0-0-1 Atlantic 10), while the Dukes are 5-3-2 (0-0-1 Atlantic 10).

After a scoreless first half, Pio converted on a corner kick from Ryan Richter (Southampton, PA/William Tennent) to put the Explorers up 1-0. The score was Pio's second of his young career, and Richter added another assist to up his team-leading points total to 12.

Duquesne's Ben Horner scored the equalizer less than three minutes later on an unassisted shot.

The Dukes pounded out 11 second half shots, but Explorer keeper Kyle Quigley (Millersville, MD/Severna Park) was the difference as he came up with five huge stops to preserve the tie.

The two overtime periods did not yield much in the way of opportunities for either team. The Explorers attempted one shot between both periods and the Dukes attempted three.

The Dukes held a 20-13 advantage on shots, and 13-7 advantage on corner kicks with six of those coming in the second half. Richter led the Explorers with four shots, two of which were on goal. The Dukes' Josh Patterson took eight shots, three on goal.

However, fouls were a big difference in the game as the Dukes were whistled for 26 and the Explorers only for seven.

Quigley stopped six shots in goal, while Duquesne keeper Colin Thorp stopped three.

The Explorers return to action on Sunday (10/11) when they head to St. Bonaventure for a 2:00 PM contest.