The Quinnipiac women’s soccer team met in a home match-up against the Purple Eagles of Niagara University on Saturday afternoon where the Bobcats came away with a 3-0 win.
This win puts Quinnipiac’s record at 7-6 overall and 3-3 in the MAAC.
“We are definitely trying to play to our strengths and do what we do best,” senior forward Ally Grunstein said. “And that’s definitely showing in our games and we’re able to play in the midfield and get out wide, and that’s how we’re able to create all our chances.”
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[/media-credit]It was senior day for the Bobcats and the 6 seniors on the Bobcat roster were able to win on their home field. Olivia Myszewski, Charlotte Edmunds, Estefy Estrada Zavala, Ally Grunstein, MacKenzie Tibball and Kylie Lance were all recognized on the field for their years spent with the team prior to the game’s kickoff.
“We played for each other today,” Myszewski said.
Quinnipiac and Niagara wrested for control during the first part of the game.
Niagara posed a few threats early in the first half with three shots and chances on two corner kicks, but nothing snuck by Myszewski. Myszewski finished the game in a shutout fashion.
The Bobcats struck first on a goal from freshman defender Kayla Machingos, her first goal of the season and her collegiate career. A cross from Grunstein in the 24th minute set Machingos up perfectly to punch it into the back of the net.
The first half action from the Bobcats was not finished. In the 44th minute, freshman midfielder Olivia Scott found the back of the net, her third of the season, with the assist coming from sophomore forward Lauren Wendland.
Quinnipiac continued to hold possession of the ball consistently in the second half. Grunstein nearly added to the Quinnipiac lead in the 72nd minute after her shot from just outside the 18 missed off the goalpost, forcing Niagara keeper Katelin White to make the save.
Not long after, sophomore forward Emily Loney tacked on another goal for the Bobcats in the 81st minute on an assist by freshman defender Katie Schwartz.
The momentum stayed in Quinnipiac’s favor as it kept the Purple Eagles off the board and finished the game with a 2-0 shutout. The Bobcats outshot Niagara 13-6, and Quinnipiac’s offense forced White to make eight saves throughout the contest.
“They’ve still got four games left to finish off the season,” Quinnipiac head coach Dave Clarke said of his senior players. “The goal is to go to the playoffs, and then they can write another chapter, whether it’s come what may or final, quarter final, or semi-final, that is up to them, they get to write it.”
The Bobcats next take to the road to face Saint Peter’s at Joseph J. Jaroschak Field in New Jersey on Oct. 16. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
