Charlotte, NC – Guiseppe Gentile’s goal in the 81^st minute proved to be the game-winner as the 15^th-ranked Charlotte 49ers (10-2-1, A-10: 3-0-1) defeated Duquesne (3-7-2, A-10: 0-2-1), 1-0, to remain unbeaten in the Atlantic 10.

“Overall, I was very pleased with our performance today,” Charlotte coach Jeremy Gunn said. “We stayed composed and came away with a worthy victory over a tough opponent. You have to give Duquesne credit they were a very well-organized team that defended well. I thought we passed the ball well today.”

Gentile’s game-winner came when he corralled a cross from Aaron Weldon and blasted the ball into the back of the net from about eight yards out in the 81^st minute. Gentile’s goal was his seventh of the season and his sixth goal in the last four games.

“Guiseppe had a tremendous weekend with four goals,” Gunn said. “He has been playing well all season. He was the first in the box off a great cross from Aaron. He deserved to score the goal.”

Charlotte had several great scoring chances in the game as they finished the game with a 20-6 advantage in shots. Aidan Kirkbride led the 49ers with four shots. Isaac Caughran tallied three shots. Charles Rodriguez, Owen Darby, Tyler Gibson and Gentile each had two shots apiece.

Darby has the 49ers’ first two scoring chances but his shots were either blocked or stopped by Duquesne’s keeper Colin Thorp in the first three minutes of the game.

In the 16^th minute, Rodriguez nearly headed in his second goal of the season but it was stopped by Duquesne’s Thorp.

In the 22^nd minute, Kirkbride connected on a shot but it was stopped by Duquesne’s Thorp.

In the 59^th minute, Jennings Rex had a great scoring chance but his shot from about 10 yards out was cleared off the line at the last second by a Duquesne defender.

In the 65^th minute, Gentile had a great scoring chance but his shot was stopped by Duquesne’s Thorp.

In the 69^th minute, the 49ers were awarded a penalty kick after a Duquesne player was called for an inadvertent handball in the box. However, Gibson’s penalty kick went just over the cross bar.

The 49ers defense was stellar limiting Duquesne to only six shots. Charlotte’s goalkeeper Klay Davis recorded two saves in route to his fifth shutout of the season.

Charlotte returns to the road next weekend when they play at La Salle and Fordham, October 21-23.

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