PITTSBURGH, Pa. — D'Youville defeated Point Park University 12-11 at Highmark Stadium, improving to 1-1 overall on the season. In a closely contested match, D'Youville's fourth-quarter surge, scoring five goals, secured the victory.

The game commenced with the Saints asserting early control through a decisive faceoff victory by Jake Bush, leading to a ground ball pickup. Luciano Gonzalez broke the deadlock at 9:47 with the first goal of the game for D'Youville, assisted by Raymond Cortes. Stefano Evan extended DYU's lead with a goal at 6:41, aided by Obrigh Tallchief. Jack Devlin further increased the margin with a goal at 5:59, assisted by Gonzalez. The Pioneers responded with a pair of goals, but D'Youville maintained a narrow edge. The quarter concluded with the Saints leading 3-2.

DYU capitalized on an early turnover by the Pioneers to score with 8:16 remaining, as Tallchief found the net for his first goal of the season. Although the Pioneers responded with three consecutive goals, D'Youville leveled the score at 5-5 with 1:23 left when Graham Sholett, assisted by Tallchief, scored his first goal of the season. The quarter concluded with the teams tied at 5-5, setting up a competitive continuation of the match.

In the third quarter, D'Youville swiftly capitalized on a turnover by the Pioneers, with Hayden Goldthorp scoring his first goal of the season at 11:30. Tallchief then added another goal for D'Youville at 9:47, assisted by Cortes, leveling the score after the Pioneers had briefly taken the lead. D'Youville's defensive efforts were marked by several key saves by Casey Berns, maintaining the balance in a tightly contested quarter. The quarter concluded with the scoreboard showing a 7-7 tie.

Evan initiated a strong quarter for D'Youville by scoring the first goal at 12:35. Sholett and Tallchief followed with additional goals, extending D'Youville's advantage. Cortes, assisted by Evan, and Tallchief, with an assist from Noah Suchyna, furthered the lead with consecutive goals, pushing the score to 12-8. Despite the Pioneers' attempt to close the gap, D'Youville maintained its edge. The quarter concluded with D'Youville leading 12-11, securing the victory.

Evan tallied two goals and added an assist, contributing significantly to the offensive effort with nine shots, three of which were on target. Tallchief led the attack with four goals and two assists, recording nine shots on goal out of 14 attempts. Sholett also made an impact by scoring twice on three shots, while Cortes chipped in with a goal and two assists from three shots. Berns was solid in goal, making 13 saves.

Looking ahead, D'Youville will face Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio, on Saturday, Feb. 21. The game is set for 1 p.m.