The weekend is here — which means it’s time to take a quick look back at Thursday’s results and ahead to a packed schedule for Pittsburgh’s soccer teams plus the High School playoffs begin with WPIAL Boys Class 3A and Class 1A first-round matches on Saturday with the rest of the classifications to follow with first round matches on Monday and Tuesday.

In addition, on Thursday, we learned that Steel City FC’s Third Round opponents will be none other than the reincarnated City Islanders.  Yes, that’s right, there’s a new version of the former USL Championship club who were once of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ Keystone Derby rivals. The Capital City Islanders have been competing in the USPL Division I as a semi-pro club, as they play their home matches at the same complex as its predecessors, at Skyline Soccer Complex on City Island.

Steel City FC advanced with a thrilling 3-2 win vs FCY New York on Sunday.  If you missed it, be sure to check out Colton Coreschi’s match report. 

The All-Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh vs Harrisburg match-up is slated to take place the weekend of November 1-2, at Rooney Field on the campus of Duquense University.

Thursday’s Results:
Duquesne WSOC lose for first time at Rooney

Speaking of Rooney Field, Duquesne Women’s Soccer team took an unbeaten record in its home fortress on Thursday when they took on Loyola (IL) in a key Atlantic 10 match-up.

Things started off well for the Dukes, as Mackenzie Muir got the early goal, convering a penalty kick in the 31st minute.  The goal 11 minutes into the contest when Loyola Chicago was called for a foul in the box, with junior Anna Bundy being taken down.

“We battled,”Jessica Giegucz, Duquesne’s HC head coach, said.

“It was a very physical game. They had a very good game plan, and it proved some adversity for us. We just have to move on to the next game. I thought (Brianna Moore) and Maya (Matesa) did free themselves up on the wide spaces, and it did generate a little bit more for us. Libby Majka also stepped up into more of an attacking mid type role, and it was able to generate some different options. I just wish we could’ve put a couple away. We’re in the business of generating attacking momentum. But tonight is in the past and we have to move forward.”

#DuqWSoccer‘s unbeaten streak at home this season comes to an end with a 2-1 loss to Loyola Chicago. Next game is Sun @ Saint Joseph’s. The Dukes fall into fifth place in the conference standings with three games to play. Top eight make A-10 Championship @pghsoccernow.

— Zachary Weiss (@ZacharyMWeiss) October 17, 2025

The Dukes have now dropped consecutive matches for the first time all year, the Dukes dipped to 9-5-1 (.633) overall, including 4-3 (.571) in the Atlantic 10.

Robert Morris WSOC battle Cleveland State to draw 

Both goals came early as the RMU women’s soccer team battled Cleveland State to a 1-1 draw Thursday afternoon at the North Athletic Complex.

With the result, the Colonials move to 4-6-4 overall and 2-2-3 in Horizon League play.

Cleveland State struck first in the fourth minute when Payton Koebbe slipped a pass through to Tanji Sarver, who finished giving the Vikings an early lead.

Just a minute later, RMU quickly responded. Shauna Gamble played a ball down the right flank to Paloma Swankler, who delivered a pinpoint cross that found Ava Trethewey, and she buried a one-touch finish to even the score at 1-1.

Working for the Weekend:

The rest of the college teams are back in action over the weekend, as Pitt WSOC return after almost a week and a half, when they host NC State at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Friday.

Saturday includes all three RMU MSOC on the road in a rematch of last year’s Horizon League final, when they face Oakland.   Duquense MSOC are home, at Rooney Field, when they host George Washington and Pitt MSOC — hard to believe are still looking for their first ACC win — will host Syracuse at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

The Riverhounds will provide the Saturday nightcap — kicking off at 10 p.m. — as they’ll be in Monterey Bay, California in the penultamate match of the season, as they look to move up in the standings as they still have a fighting chance for a home playoff match.

If you didn’t see, earlier this week, I caught up with Riverhounds’ acting Head Coach, Rob Vincent.

Adversity-hardened Rob Vincent keeps Riverhounds focused on day-to-day tasks at hand

 

Fri
10/17/2025
Pitt (WSOC)
7:00 PM
H
NC State
Ambrose Urbanic Field

Sat
10/18/2025
Robert Morris (MSOC)
4:00 PM

Oakland
Rochester, MI

Duquesne (MSOC)
7:00 PM

George Washington
Rooney Field

Riverhounds
10:00 PM
A
at Monterey Bay
Monterey, CA

Pitt (MSOC)
7:00 PM
H
Syracuse
Ambrose Urbanic Field

Sun
10/19/2025
Duquesne (WSOC)
1:00 PM
A
St. Joseph’s
Philadelphia, PA

Robert Morris (WSOC)
4:00 PM
H
Oakland
Moon Township (North Athletic Complex)

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of ‘Miracle on the Mon’ — a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).