Quinnipiac Men’s Soccer Opens MAAC Play With Win Over Siena

Credit%3A+Quinnipiac+Athletics

Credit: Quinnipiac Athletics

Keenan Mills, Beat Reporter: Men's Soccer
September 30, 2021

After the first five games of the season, the Quinnipiac Bobcats had not lost a game and confidence was at an all time. Since then, they have dropped two straight games including an extra time heartbreaker against Northeastern this past Saturday.

The Bobcats, led by MAAC Preseason Player of the Year, Brage Aasen, began conference play when they faced off against the Siena Saints on Wednesday.

Quinnipiac went on to squeak out a 3-2 overtime win against the Saints, Aasen was responsible for all three goals, scoring twice and assisting on the third. To cap off the game, one minute into extra time, Aasen drew a penalty that sent him to the PK spot, icing the game for the Bobcats with the winning goal.

The Bobcats entered the locker room at halftime up 1-0 after Aasen’s first goal in the 28th minute assisted by substitute Tomas Svecula. That lead was short lived as, 12 minutes into the second half, the Bobcats were down 2-1 due to goals by Frederic Storodegard and a penalty kick by Jacob Sandun Arachchigejensen.

David Bercedo scored the equalizer and his third goal of the season in the 82nd minute. Additionally, he gave the through ball which led to the Aasen penalty in extra time. The Bercedo-Aasen connection is stronger than ever, just in time for conference play.

“I trust David. He trusts me,” Aasen said. “Both on the field and off the field and I feel like we are going to combine for a lot more goals.”

The two goals today were just the fourth and the fifth home goals conceded by the Bobcats all season. However, they have given up 10 goals in the past three games and are looking to improve heading into vital MAAC action.

“The relationships are getting better. The communication still needs to improve,” head coach Eric Da Costa said. “I think we need to do a much better job of that. If we do that, we probably don’t concede those two early goals in the second half.”

The Bobcats continue conference play when they face off against the Marist Red Foxes in Poughkeepsie on Saturday night.