By: Bobby Schilling
(Hamden, CONN.) – The women’s soccer team earned a much-needed sweep this weekend as they followed up their win on Friday with a 3-0 victory over Sacred Heart University on Sunday. Freshmen Furtuna Velaj and Chelsea Smith scored for the Bobcats, as did sophomore Meghan McLoughlin. Bobcat assists were recorded by McLoughlin, junior Amber Sidoti and senior Danielle Nugent.
Play early was slow and choppy, with many fouls and throw-ins, but the Bobcats finally found their rhythm 12 minutes into the game when Velaj chipped a ball in the box over Sacred Heart’s charging goalkeeper.
SHU had no time to recover as McLoughlin buried a loose ball into the net just over a minute later, and it was all but over from there.
Smith capped off the half for QU with only seven seconds left, as she used her head to deflect a free kick from Nugent past the keeper and giving the Bobcats a 3-0 halftime lead.
The pace slowed for Quinnipiac in the second half and SHU was able to hold possession and get some scoring opportunities, but the defense held strong and Jillian Kelley was brilliant in net. The end result never seemed to be in doubt.
QU head coach Dave Clarke discussed his team’s approach to the remaining games. “If we get two more wins, that’s great. If we make into the playoffs, we’ll accept it. But if not, it’s important that we lay a foundation for next year,” he said.
The Bobcats move to 7-5-2 (3-3-2) as Sacred Heart drops to 1-14-1 (0-6-1). QU will look to finish the season strong as they host Bryant on Wednesday (3 pm) and then CCSU in their final game next Sunday at 1 p.m.
