By: Nick Cataldi
A playoff-like atmosphere in September? That was the mood in Hamden on Saturday in a rematch of last year’s women’s soccer MAAC Championship game.
Saturday offered a battle between two undefeated squads, as the Quinnipiac Bobcats hosted the Monmouth Hawks. Ultimately the visitors went home victorious, beating the Bobcats 2-0.
There was certainly much at stake as the preseason top two teams met for the first time this season.
Head coach Dave Clarke had that feeling as soon as the game was about to start.
“I said it to Steve (Coxon) right at the kickoff , it had like a playoff feel to it,” Clarke said.
Junior Defender Jess Gargan shared the same thoughts as her coach after the game.
“Before the game I was getting the same feeling and nerves that I got for the MAAC final last year,” Gargan said.
In this playoff like atmosphere, it only took a minute and ten seconds for the Hawks to strike first. Rachelle Ross received a ball from Madie Gibson and was able to put the ball past Quinnipiac goalkeeper Olivia Myszewski. After that, Monmouth controlled the ball in the Bobcats end for much of the remainder of the first half.
That offensive onslaught paid off in the 34th minute for Monmouth, in yet another combination between Gibson and Cross.
Gibson played a beautiful cross into Ross, who finessed the ball with her right foot for her second goal of the game.
In the second half, the game became more physical and confrontational.
The official dealt four yellow cards in the second 45 minutes alone. Madison Borowiec, Jenn Maldonado, and Assistant Coach Steve Coxon received yellow cards for the Bobcats. Monmouth’s Dana Scheriff picked up one of her own. The fans vocalized their frustrations with the officiating after each call.
During the second half, the Bobcats got more chances but weren’t able to capitalize.
Nadya Gill and Al Pelletier, who were quiet in the first half, came alive in the second. The forwards were able to keep possession and create some chances.
Gill knows that even though they made some breakthroughs they were not playing to their best as a team.
“We didn’t play the way we should and the way we are taught to,” Gill said.
Quinnipiac sophomore defender Mackenzie Tibball came in to play 13 minutes for her first appearance in four games after recovering from an injury. Clarke’s hope is to ease her back into play until she reaches the necessary match fitness level.
“15 minutes today, 20 minutes on Wednesday, and 40 minutes the next game,” Clarke said.
Saturday’s game had a feeling of rivalry game from the players to the coaches to the fans. After last year, there was a definite feeling of a rivalry forming.
“As we have progressed in the league, and got to be top two teams in the last two years it’s a big rivalry,” Gargan said.
The heart of the conference schedule is starting to heat up as the Bobcats will only have three days before their next conference game.
The Bobcats host the Rider Broncs on Wednesday for a 2 p.m. kickoff.
