The Quinnipiac men’s soccer team held the No. 14 team in the nation to one goal in its 1-0 loss to UNH on Saturday.
Here are three takeaways from the contest:
Scoreboard isn’t indicative of how Quinnipiac played
New Hampshire earned a clean sheet for the seventh time in eight games this season. The Wildcats are legit, moving up to 14th in the country in the latest NCAA rankings. But, Quinnipiac had multiple chances to score in both halves. Defender Will Pustari hit the bar with a header off a corner at the end of the first half, and shots from Junior Cordeiro and Paulo Soares nearly found the back of the net in the second. A loss is a loss, but Quinnipiac showed glimpses of great play against a top team in the nation.
Eric Da Costa: “Defensively, I thought we were organized. We held to our game plan and we knew they were a good team. They’re a very good squad. I thought we did a lot of good things…it bodes well for heading in (to MAAC play). It’s been a grueling stretch of games.”
Junior Cordeiro was the most effective Bobcat on the pitch
Cordeiro was annoying all afternoon long, but in a good way. He was a pest, a gnat and bothersome to UNH. He brought energy and a tone off the bench that Quinnipiac desperately needed. Wing production was hard to come by in the first half for the Bobcats, but Cordeiro stepped in created attacking chances in the second 45. Not only did he create chances, but he rang the crossbar midway through the second half for Quinnipiac’s best opportunity of the game. He earned more minutes come MAAC play with Saturday’s effort.
Cordeiro: “Everyone understands their role and everyone knows that we have to go out there and do anything for the team. So, if coach tells me to go out there and sprint and go forward, then that’s what I’m going to do.
James Doig: “Junior came in today and did really well. It was something different that I think we needed and it was really nice to see.”
Da Costa: “Junior in certain situations is very dangerous and today was one of those. He had a role to play out there and take guys on, putting defenders on their heels when they’re tired and he did that.”
James Doig sits the entire second half
It’s not every day a fifth-year captain doesn’t play an entire half, especially against a ranked team. Granted, it was scalding hot out and the last tune up before MAAC play starts next week, but still. Seems like Eric Da Costa wasn’t too thrilled with the way Doig has been playing. He’s the leader for Quinnipiac and has been for some time. He’s one of, if not the most valuable player on the team. Doig took the blame for the loss against Fordham last week. Once MAAC play begins against Fairfield, he has to be playing his best soccer.
Doig: “Someone’s came in and someone’s done the job. That’s all.”
Da Costa: “We believe in James and know what James is capable of. Players should never take it personally. The guys who stepped in did a good job. James will be back on the field. He’s certainly tired, he’s played almost every minute of every game.”
