Photo courtesy Quinnipiac Athletics
By: Sierra Goodwill
A healthy lineup and weeklong preparation proved to be a successful combination for the Quinnipiac men’s soccer team, which defeated Canisius 3-1 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference semifinal game on Friday at the QU Soccer Field.
The hosts and No. 1 seeded Bobcats welcomed James Doig back into the lineup for the first time since Oct. 15, when he suffered an upper body injury. Fellow midfielder Matt Taylor noticed the difference with the captain back out on the pitch.
“It’s massive,” Taylor said. “He brings calmness and control to the midfield and the whole team.”
Doig played the full 90 minutes and showed no signs of tiredness or irritation to that right shoulder. Head coach Eric Da Costa was not surprised by his seamless transition back into high intensity play.
“James worked really hard to rehab over the course of the last two weeks and he accelerated his progress to be able to be in the position he was in today,” Da Costa said. “Even if he was fatigued, he’s certainly not going to show it at this point in the year.”
Quinnipiac controlled the pace and possession of the game from the start, and after multiple chances in the first fifteen minutes, Taylor was able to find the back of the net.
“It was played down the left to Rashawn (Dally), he did what he did because he’s big and strong, it got in the box, Eamon (Whelan) created the chance for me and it was an instinctive finish and turn-around shot.”
There was no let-up from the Bobcats as freshman Whelan scored just 5 minutes later to tally his eleventh goal of the season and ninth on home turf. The No. 1 seed went into the break with a 2-0 cushion.
The game did seem like it was heading towards dangerous territory in the beginning of the second half, as Canisius came out on a mission and scored 7 minutes in. But, Quinnipiac exuded confidence and Dally was able to open it back up scoring just 5 minutes later.
“Canisius came out strong and was able to get a goal out of really nothing, but we were able to get past that and continue to play,” Da Costa said. “We haven’t been defeated all year.”
Although Dally had only one goal, his speed, size and skill was evident and dominant in the semifinal matchup. Da Costa compared him to assistant coach Graciano Brito, the second leading scorer in Quinnipiac men’s soccer history.
“They have similar traits but Rashawn really has the complete package,” Da Costa said. “He’s still a young kid and we’re trying to help him develop at his own pace and give him the confidence to do that. Over the course of the season he’s been great, but the last five or six games he’s been dominant.”
The Bobcats advanced to the MAAC Championship, which will be played on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the QU Soccer Field. Da Costa is confident that his team is prepared for the quick turn-around.
“We’ve put ourselves into these sorts of environments in the non-conference schedule,” Da Costa said. “For about two weeks we congested games in there so when we were faced with this challenge, we’d be somewhat prepared for it.”
Quinnipiac faces the winner of the second semifinal game between the No. 2 Rider Broncs and No. 3 Siena Saints. Quinnipiac defeated Siena 3-2 this season and lost to Rider 3-1 to snap a 7-game win streak on Oct. 29.
Doig is one of the only current players with MAAC Championship experience, but he has complete faith that his teammates will get the job done.
“Experience will help, but the boys are doing their job and that’s all they have to do right now,” the captain said. “I’m confident.”
