Photo courtesy Quinnipiac Athletics
By: Matt Kricheli
HAMDEN, Conn — Quinnipiac University men’s soccer (2-3) was looking to continue its good form on Saturday against the University of Massachusetts Lowell (5-0) on Saturday afternoon at the QU Soccer Field.
The Bobcats, coming off their first home win in two years, held their own in the first half against the undefeated River Hawks, keeping the score even at 0-0.
Head coach Eric Da Costa said, “it was a little bit of a slow start, in terms of our possession,” which gave Lowell the ball, and the chances to create opportunities in the first half.
The only two shots on goal in the half came courtesy off the feet of River Hawks, both stopped by senior goalkeeper Brian Westerman. Westerman was filling in for injured goalkeeper Chrysostomos Iakovidis who played in, and won Quinnipiac’s last two games.
The biggest chance of the half was a cross, swung in by the UMass-Lowell right back, Carlos Ruiz, but was cleared away in the six yard box by Quinnipiac defender Nate Gaw.
Lowell got off to a quick start in the second half when Wuilito Fernandes scored his fourth goal of the season 7:19 into the second half. Fernandes dashed into the box while Joe Kellett swung the ball in from the right side of the field. This goal put a spark in the River Hawks, allowing them to keep possession, string some passes together, and at 24:36, the ball found Fernandes’ foot again, and he put away his second of the game, making it 2-0 UMass-Lowell.
Da Costa said that the two goals were mental lapses that came from lack of communication, but other than that, he believed that the team carried out their game plan well.
The Bobcats knew they had a hill to climb, applying pressure high up the field and forcing the River Hawks to give up possession of the ball. Max Rothenbuecher had a great chance to equalize with 30:40, but sent the ball flying over the goal.
After continuous pressure, Quinnipiac took advantage. Rothenbuecher, who clearly shook off his recent miss, gained possession of the ball, and produced a great cross to Ryan Scheiderman who headed the ball home to make it 2-1 Lowell with 17:11 left in the half.
Da Costa was pleased with the fight in the Bobcats, saying “the boys showed a tremendous amount of character.”
Quinnipiac continued it’s high press on the ball late into the game, but only able to come up with one last clear-cut opportunity. After a scrum in the box, the ball landed on junior Filosmar Cordeiro’s foot, who struck the ball solidly, but Lowell’s keeper Austin Kroll got down to the grass quickly to make the save.
Though that was the last clear chance for Quinnipiac, the Bobcats kept their strong pressure and relentless pursuit of the ball into the closing minutes of the game. Sophomore Matthew Taylor ended up getting free inside the box and had a shot blocked by a River Hawk defender.
Quinnipiac looks to rebound off of this loss against Whitney Ave rivals, Yale. Da Costa said he is excited for this match, given that in the last eight years, each Quinnipiac vs. Yale soccer match has ended with no more than a one-goal deficit. Da Costa said that the players get excited for matches like these.
Quinnipiac will host Yale on Wednesday, September 14.
