It was a record setting week for the women’s lacrosse team this past week. The Bobcats were looking to build on their 5-3 overall record and unbeaten 3-0 in the NEC Conference. On April 1, the team wasn’t fooling around as they destroyed Siena 18-2.
Many of the Bobcats had a multiple point game, but by far and away one of the best Bobcats on the field was sophomore Christy Smallman. A midfielder, Smallman notched a hat trick and added five assists to lead the Bobcats to the win.
“She became one of our top midfielders, she is great at playing defense, and she can also set up her teammates,” said head coach Stephy Samaras.
Smallman’s eight points also tied the school’s single-game record, which was set just less than two weeks ago by Annie Paquette. Paquette also played her part in the 18-2 slaughtering of Siena, as she scored five goals for Quinnipiac.
Paquette actually had a consecutive hat trick in the game, as she scored three goals late in the second half all in a 4:40 time span. Scoring is something Paquette was very accustomed to last year.
“She was such a go to scorer for us last year, she has stepped up as well as Christy and she contributes on both ends of the field,” said Samaras.
Snow fell for most of the game, but it was the Bobcats who were way above freezing right off the opening whistle. The Bobcats scored five times in the opening four minutes. Amy Willis, Paquette, Smallman and Kristen Holzer started the scoring spree for the Bobcats, but the Saints responded. Isabel Ohanian found the back of the net as she beat Megan Matthews to cut into the Bobcats lead to four. Matthews had seen enough and carried out a strong performance after that goal.
Matthews factored into the win making 13 saves to seal the win for Quinnipiac. The Bobcats displayed thier potent offense as they went on to score the last ten goals of the contest to close out Siena, despite the falling snow at Bobcat’s Field.
This past Friday, the Bobcats were looking to stay undefeated in the NEC conference, as they faced in-state rival and conference foe, the Sacred Heart Pioneers.
The trip down the Fairfield was a tough one for the Bobcats. Once again Quinnipiac jumped out to an early lead scoring at the 23:47 mark, as Smallman picked up right where she left off on Tuesday by notching a goal on an assist from Jennifer Larson.
The Bobcats came into Friday’s game undefeated when scoring first, but that streak would came to an end against the Pioneers. First place Sacred Heart displayed their offensive firepower by scoring the next six goals.
The sixth unanswered goal came out of the pocket of JoAnn Montesarchio’s stick. Montesarchio would factor into more of the scoring as she scored two more goals on the afternoon to pick up the hat trick.
“We didn’t play as a team versus Sacred Heart, and our biggest problem was our transition from defense to attack,” said Samaras.
The Bobcats struggled in the second half, as Sacred Heart scored the first five goals of the half. Quinnipiac’s Willis got the Bobcats back on the board with 10:50 left in the game.
The Bobcats had trouble mounting an attack they managed only seven shots in the second half and turned the ball over 14 times. The Pioneers put the finishing touches on the Bobcats as they scored the final two goals of the game to come away with the 14-3 win.
Quinnipiac’s senior goalkeeper, Megan Matthews made 10 saves in the loss for the Bobcats. The Bobcats are now 6-3 overall and 3-1 in the NEC after their loss to Sacred Heart.
Coach Samaras has two other seniors play a large part in the teams overall success. “Kate Stima and Erin O’Mara have remained positive with all the changes this season, and after the Sacred Heart game, they do a great job of keeping eveyone’s spirits up.”
The women will travel to Maryland for the weekend as they take on Mount St. Mary’s on Friday afternoon and the University of Maryland-Baltimore County on Sunday. The team will return home for an important match-up on April 17, when they host NEC opponent Monmouth.
With a limited amount of NEC opponents left, the Bobcats weekend down south will have a significant impact on where Quinnipiac will fit in the NEC playoff picture.
