Jessica Giegucz Named Duquesne Women’s Soccer Head Coach

ByCoach

Duquesne University has made a significant move in their women’s soccer program. They’ve appointed Jessica Giegucz as the new head coach. Giegucz has a decade of impressive coaching experience at Slippery Rock University. Her appointment comes after the departure of Al Alvine, who led the program for 13 seasons. The Dukes are looking forward to a promising future under Giegucz’s leadership.

Jessica Giegucz’s Stellar Coaching Background

Jessica Giegucz has built a remarkable coaching career over the past 11 years. Most notably, she spent 10 years as the head coach at NCAA Division II Slippery Rock University. There, she achieved a record of 104-48-24 (.659). Under her guidance, Slippery Rock consistently performed well, qualifying for nine consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament appearances.

Achievements at Slippery Rock

During her tenure at Slippery Rock, Giegucz led the team to numerous successes:

  • 104-48-24 (.659) overall record
  • Seven seasons with at least 10 wins
  • Nine consecutive PSAC Tournament appearances
  • 2019 PSAC Tournament champions with an 18-4 (.818) record

Giegucz’s ability to develop talent is evident from the number of accolades her players received. She coached 44 All-PSAC selections, two PSAC West Athlete of the Year honorees, and one PSAC West Freshman of the Year. In 2019, forward Rachel Edge was named PSAC West Athlete of the Year, while senior Madison Johnson earned PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Year honors.

Academic Excellence and Player Development

Beyond the field, Giegucz has also emphasized academic excellence. Under her leadership, Slippery Rock’s women’s soccer team consistently boasted one of the top GPAs in the PSAC. Four of her student-athletes earned USC Scholar All-America status, and several were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America® Team.

Notable Players and Awards

Some of the standout players coached by Giegucz include:

  • Dara Demich – NSCAA All-America Third Team in 2015
  • Rachel Edge – PSAC West Athlete of the Year in 2019
  • Madison Johnson – PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Year in 2019
  • Jordyn Minda – PSAC West Freshman of the Year in 2018

Giegucz’s commitment to player development has been unwavering. Her players have received numerous awards and honors throughout her coaching career.

Transition to Duquesne University

Giegucz takes over from Al Alvine, who led Duquesne’s women’s soccer program for 13 seasons. Alvine stepped aside early in the 2024 season, with Dave Gray serving as interim coach for the remainder of the campaign. The Dukes finished the 2024 season with a 9-7-1 (.559) record, placing 11th in the 15-team Atlantic 10 Conference.

Looking Ahead

Giegucz is eager to begin her new role at Duquesne and has expressed her excitement about leading the program. She stated, *I’m beyond excited to be the next head coach for Duquesne women’s soccer.* Giegucz is determined to build on the program’s previous successes and guide the team to new heights.

Duquesne is set to return eight of their 11 starters in 2025, including a strong junior class that accounted for 74 of the team’s 93 points (79.6%) in 2024. With Giegucz at the helm, the Dukes are poised for a bright future.

Conclusion

Jessica Giegucz’s appointment as Duquesne’s new women’s soccer head coach marks an exciting new chapter for the program.

Her impressive track record at Slippery Rock, combined with her commitment to academic excellence and player development, makes her a perfect fit for the Dukes.

As Duquesne looks ahead to the 2025 season, Giegucz’s leadership and vision will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the team’s success.

For more information on Jessica Giegucz’s appointment and her plans for the Duquesne women’s soccer program, visit Pittsburgh Soccer Now.

Related Posts