Following a 2007 campaign in which his team only managed one win, head coach Eric Da Costa remained positive entering this season.

After two games and two victories, it appears Da Costa had reason to be optimistic. The Bobcats followed up a 2-0 win over Northeastern with an impressive 2-1 victory over ACC-foe Boston College. Freddy Hall made ten saves in net and Graciano Brito tallied a goal and an assist to lead the Bobcats.

“That win is just huge for our program and Quinnipiac athletics as a whole,” Da Costa said. “We definitely celebrated a little extra after that win, but we need to keep focused and look forward.”

In particular, Da Costa has his team looking towards Nov. 18, the Northeast Conference Championship game.

“We came in this year with a new attitude. The guys have really come together as a group and became a team,” Da Costa said.

After a frustrating and disappointing season last year, the Bobcats came into this season looking for a fresh start.

Combining returning experience and new talent has proven to be a recipe for success thus far for Da Costa.

Brito and senior Danilo Schiavon give the Bobcats a powerful offensive force. The return of Shane Recklet and Hobson Bradford on defense allows Brito and Schiavon to take more chances up front.

“This year we are looking to be much more offensive-minded. We have some new personnel and a new plan of attack that will let us play a more open style,” Da Costa said.

Joining Recklet and Bradford on the back-line are freshmen Pierre Soubrier and Tolle Staffanson.

Soubrier and Staffanson, from France and Sweden respectively, solidify a defense that was forced to carry the load for a Bobcat squad that struggled to score goals.

In two games thus far this year, four different players have scored goals, a balanced attack that Da Costa believes is a sign of things to come.

“You have to score goals to win games, and we’ve got options across the board that can put the ball in the back of the net,” he said.

Two more international players are looking to make a serious impact in their first season with the Bobcats.

Belgium’s Nick Pelicaen and Ross McGibney, originally from Ireland, have each registered a goal in the team’s first two games.

The most important addition to this year’s version of the Bobcats may be in the form of goalie Frederick Hall, who has allowed one goal in the first two games, making 18 saves and posting a .947 save percentage. “He has … been a big reason for our success,” Da Costa said.

The Bobcats look to continue their success in the Army Fall Classic this weekend. They take on Army on Friday night and Marist on Sunday afternoon.