Both Quinnipiac and Holy Cross came into Saturday’s match without a win. Both teams have lost two games, both by a single goal.
Predictably, something had to give.
Simon Hinde found the back of the net with 10:33 remaining in the second half, giving Quinnipiac its first win of the season.
“It was a bit of a battle, to be honest,” Hinde said. “We know we have been playing well the last couple of games, but just not getting the results. This was exactly what the team needs, and I think it will be the first of many.”
Hinde’s goal came on a penalty kick after Holy Cross committed a handball inside of the box. The senior blasted a ball into the bottom-right corner of the net and broke the tie.
“Simon is cool under pressure, you might as well call him ‘ice man’ in that situation,” Quinnipiac head coach Eric Da Costa said. “He works hard and trains for them, so he’s the guy we call on.”
With the goal Hinde is now 2 for 2 on penalty kicks this season.
“I was a bit nervous, actually,” Hinde said. “I just went through my paces, I do the same step back for every penalty. Then I just decide which way, and luckily it went in.”
Quinnipiac outshot the Crusaders 15-6; the second game in a row in which the Bobcats have outshot their opponent.
“I think it’s been a continuation of what we have been doing thus far,” Da Costa said. “I thought we had a lot of opportunities, some good build-ups, and some good looks at goal. We showed a lot of perseverance in the second half.
Goalkeeper Borja Angoitia made three saves, and Quinnipiac shut out its opponent for the first time all season.
“Our defense had been really strong,” Hinde said. “We knew we were going to get a shutout eventually. I’m very confident with our back four, and with Borja behind them. It just all came together for us today.”
The Bobcats thought they had taken the lead with 41 minutes remaining in the second half when junior Justin Ward netted a goal. Ward, however, was called offside and the goal was waved off.
With the victory Quinnipiac improves to 1-2-2 on the season. The Bobcats will play the third game of their four-game home stand on Wednesday afternoon against Army. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
