Entries from September 2008
By: Bobby Schilling
(Hamden, CT)-The women’s soccer team earned a hard fought victory Sunday afternoon at Bobcat Field, edging an undefeated Canisius team 1-0. Freshman Furtuna Velaj continued her terrific year as she scored the game’s lone goal with just over 8 minutes left in regulation.
The game was a physical stalemate, which contributed to the sloppy play early by both teams.
“We didn’t play our style in the first half, it was a little dirtier than we would have liked,” said defenseman Kate Ahearn, who anchored the Bobcats solid defense which held Canisius to just two shots on goal.
Quinnipiac was able to apply plenty of offensive pressure, but they were plagued by offsides calls and untimely turnovers.
The physicality picked up in the second half as bodies were flying all over the field. The pace also increased as the game opened up and both teams went up and down with plenty of scoring chances, but no one converting.
Velaj finally took advantage with 8:11 left to play. She ran into the box on a free ball and was able to get hear head on the ball just before a huge collision with Canisius goalie Daniella Pettinari. The ball went over Pettinari’s head and into the goal, leaving her and Velaj in a heap on the ground. Both players would be alright.
Bobcat’s head coach Dave Clarke highlighted the magnitude of the team’s victory saying, “It’s important for our mentality heading into conference play.”
Quinnipiac will do just that on Wednesday when they travel to Pennsylvania to take on Robert Morris University in their first NEC game. Quinnipiac improves to 4-2 on the season, as Canisius suffers their first loss and drops to 5-1-3.
Categories: Quinnipiac Women's Soccer
By: Jason Slater
(HAMDEN, Conn)- The Quinnipiac Bobcat Invitational came to an emphatic close on Sunday, with the Quinnipiac Bobcats taking the Hartford Hawks to a riveting five sets, eventually losing the final match of the weekend 20-25, 27-25, 20-25, 26-24, and 12-15.
After splitting their first two matches of the invitational on Saturday, losing against NJIT in straight sets before beating Coppin State in straight sets, the Bobcats came out with fire and passion and played their hearts out, losing a closely played matched before an enthusiastic crowd. Freshman Kelby Carey and Stephanie Biediger both compiled double-doubles in a losing effort, while Erin Macro collected 19 kills five digs and three blocks for Hartford (5-11).
After the game, everyone was stunned yet pleasantly surprised at the effort on the part of both teams. “What we’ve really been working on is just staying up and staying intense…and I think we really showed that we were able to do that” said senior Crista Valentino. Coach Sparks was also somber after the loss, yet content with her team’s effort. “I think we played well last night, but there was much more competition today, so that was pretty good….I think we just have to learn how to stay calm and calm ourselves. We did much better than we have. It’s a bummer that hit the net, that serve at the end, but I think the kids played well.
The loss drops Quinnipiac’s record to 2-16 on the year. Next up for the Bobcats is the Chicago State Invitational beginning on Friday and continuing throughout the weekend.
Categories: Quinnipiac Volleyball
By: Jason Slater
(HAMDEN, Conn)- The Quinnipiac University women’s volleyball team lost the first of two matches on the day earlier in the afternoon in their first game of the Quinnipiac Bobcat Invitational on Saturday, but came back to win the night cap in emphatic style.
After losing to NJIT in straight sets a mere 5 hours earlier, the Bobcats persevered through near exhaustion to come out victorious, playing their best volleyball of the year in a straight sets win over the Coppin State Eagles.
Understandably, Coach Sparks was extremely happy after the game. “That’s the role we’ve known they’re capable of playing. For the first time we’ve maintained our pace for the entire match. They really came out focused and said that’s it, we’re going to get it done.”
In their first match, the New Jersey Institute of Technology used 12 kills from Kristy Haeckel to dominate the Bobcats (26-24, 25-10, 25-17) from start to finish, and improved their record to 7-7 on the season. Kayla Lawler had three kills, six digs, and 16 assists in defeat.
Quinnipiac showed heart and determination, coming back in their second match and outplaying their opponents from the very beginning (25-19, 25-6, 25-15). Freshman Stephanie Biediger was all over the court, registering seven kills, an assist, four digs and three service aces. “We had to win finally…so we went out there and made it happen” Biediger said after the match. The loss drops the Eagles of Coppin State to 0-11 on the year.
With the win, the Bobcats improved to 2-15 on the season. Their next match is set to be played on Sunday as they continue the Quinnipiac Bobcat Invitational at 2 pm against Hartford.
Categories: Quinnipiac Volleyball
By: Jay Slater
(HAMDEN, Conn)- The Quinnipiac University Women’s Volleyball team kept it competitive, reaching 20 points in each set, but lost in straight sets to the Gaels of Iona at the Burt Khan Court Wednesday night.
Quinnipiac showed significant heart and determination against a team that came into the game with a significantly better ranking. The Bobcats came back from a considerable deficit late in each set before the Gaels could actually put the set away. Senior Jenna Benigno led the way for Quinnipiac with nine kills and freshman Stephanie Biediger helped with 10 digs.
Iona defeated Quinnipiac ( 25-20, 25-20, 25-21) on the strength of the performance of junior Sarah Weiner. The six foot one outside hitter led all scorers with 13 kills, leading to a .280 attack percentage. As a whole, the Gaels had 46 kills and a .254 attack percentage. The win brings Iona’s record to 9-4 on the season.
With the loss, Quinnipiac drops to 1-14 on the year. Next up for the Bobcats is the Quinnipiac Bobcat invitational, where they will play NJIT and Coppin State on Saturday, and wrap things up with Hartford on Sunday.
Categories: Quinnipiac Volleyball
By: Steven Ceruti
(HAMDEN, Conn.) – For the second time in this short fall season, Furtuna Velaj is our athlete of the week after her stellar performance against the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Velaj scored five goals in the 6-0 win over the Highlanders, which is by far more than any other player on the team this season. The five goals showed off her talent and versatility. One of her goals came on a penalty kick, another off a breakaway, another on a shot outside the 18 box, and two off passes from a teammate. Her five goals have given her a total of eight on the year, more than any one player had for the Bobcats all of last season and the amazing statistics continue. The 5 goals she compiled are the most points in a game by anyone in the NEC this year and he most since 2003. Her 10 points give the Bobcat’s their first double digit point season in their Division I history. She had a hat trick (three goals) in the 29th minute and it was the first time a Bobcat had tallied a hat trick in the first half since 2005.
The freshman has been nothing short of dominant this season and with her help Quinnipiac moves to 3-2 early on the year. Quinnipiac women’s soccer takes on Canisius, Friday September 26 where Velaj will look to improve upon an already impressive season.
Categories: Quinnipiac Women's Soccer
(HAMDEN, Conn.)- Due to internet technical difficulties, the Iona-Quinnipiac volleyball game can be heard on archive following the match. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Categories: Quinnipiac Volleyball
By: Bobby Schilling
(HAMDEN, Conn.)– The Quinnipiac University women’s soccer team got back on the winning track Sunday afternoon, easily handling the New Jersey Institute of Technology, 6-0. Freshman standout Furtuna Velaj continued her scoring ways, notching five of the Bobcats’ six goals in the rout. Freshman Chelsea Smith added a goal of her own, and juniors Olivia Kravitz, Lindsay Oliveri, and Susan Donovan all had an assist.
The Bobcats jumped all over the Highlanders right from the start. Velaj began her brilliant day just over seven minutes in, when she scored on a breakaway. The rest of the Bobcats treated the opponent the same way, outplaying NJIT in every aspect. Relentless pressure and excellent ball handling displayed by midfielders Kara Barrepski and Kristina Del Mistro helped QU dominate ball possession and seemingly win every 50/50 ball.
Velaj scored later in the half on a penalty kick, and then again on a great individual effort with a chip shot from ten yards outside the box over the goalie’s head to earn the first half hat trick. The Bobcats led 3-0 at the break.
The second half yielded much of the same, with Quinnipiac controlling possession of the ball, stretching the field, and extending the defense. Solid defense throughout the game from the Bobcat defenders made life easy for goalkeeper Jillian Kelley, and hard on NJIT as they failed to achieve a legitimate scoring opportunity. Velaj poured in two more goals and Smith put the last one in to cap off a 6-0 victory for the Bobcats.
Quinnipiac improves to 3-2 on the season, and NJIT falls to 1-8. The next game for the Bobcats is at Friday at home against Canisius.
Categories: Quinnipiac Men's Soccer
By: Kevin Lo
(HAMDEN, Conn.) – On September 19th, Quinnipiac hosted their 12th annual QU invitational. Schools such as UConn, Rhode Island, Fairfield, UNBC, URI, Army and Seton Hall were all in attendance.
Freshman Natalie Duckor recorded the first wins of her career alongside junior Shawna Sarson. The dynamic duo won twice in Quinnipiac Invitational Flight “B” doubles, Friday at the Quinnipiac Outdoor Tennis Courts.
Nicole Adams and Adrienne Markison, picked up the first win of the day for Quinnipiac easily disposing of Bryant. The two played well and even managed to rally back after being down 40 – love in their seventh game. The duo managed to win their first five games in a row and the two finished the day with a record of 8-1. Markison displayed many facets of her all around game including a slew of nice slices as well as a nasty backhand.
Nicole Adams, Jennifer Marotta, Natalie Duckor, Shawna Sarson, , Lisanne Steinert, Ali Warshavsky and Mary Wilson also each picked up wins in doubles play on the first day of the tournament.
Duckor and Sarson will advance to the semifinals of Flight “B” doubles, to face Rhode Island’s Amanda Barletta and Pam Emery. Four flights of singles play commence tomorrow.
Quinnipiac’s overall record of double matches on the day was 5-4.
Categories: Quinnipiac Women's Tennis
By: Jeremy Schilling
(HAMDEN, Conn.)-The Athletics parking lot is frequently used by athletes, students, coaches, parents, and media. But, most of the time, they are there for sports that do not include NASCAR. QU Athletics, Sprint and NASCAR tried to change that today by bringing the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series simulator to North lot today.
Set up next to the Recreation Center, students and faculty could: enter for prizes, shop for Sprint phones, and enter a NASCAR simulator. Now that simulator was fun. You really felt like you were in a car – it shifted as you drove, and really swerved if you crashed. Energizing, exhilarating, adrenaline pumping: it was an absolutely great time.
Turn out was very good throughout the day, as Quinnipiac students were anxious to enjoy – or at least simulate – a sport that is not that popular here in Bobcat country.
Categories: Quinnipiac Athletics
By: Jeremy Schilling
(HAMDEN, Conn.)-The Quinnipiac University Bobcats golf team had a middle-of-the-pack 14th place finish this past weekend at the Rutgers Invitational, held at the Rutgers Golf Course in Piscataway, NJ. The Bobcats shot a two-day team score of 598. 1st place in the team competition went to Seton Hall, who shot a 567. South-Carolina Upstate finished 2nd, shooting a 568 and Binghamton University finished 3rd with 569.
The best individually for the Bobcats was Charlie Niland whose 36-hole score of 147 placed him 36th overall in that competition. He was followed by Brady Giroux, who shot a 149 and Jayson Loranger with a 150. Ben Cook and Ian O’Connor both finished up with 2-day score of 152 and Ryan Reynolds shot a 164.
The Bobcats fall schedule continues this weekend in Hanover, New Hampshire at the Dartmouth Invitational.
Categories: Quinnipiac Golf
