By Ethan Savluk
The Quinnipiac Bobcats (4-4) rolled over St. Joseph’s (1-7) Sunday 5-0 at the Quinnipiac Turf Complex, thanks to the Bobcats’ all-around play. The win was capped off by goalkeeper Megan Conaboy’s (Clark’s Summitt, Pa.) second shutout in two days.
Quinnipiac jumped out to an early lead as Jennalise Taylor (Yardley, Pa.) scored her third goal of the season, six minutes into the game on a penalty corner shot from the top of the circle.
Quinnipiac dominated St. Joseph’s for the entire first half, allowing only two shots on goal. Quinnipiac’s defense made stop after stop, not allowing very many scoring opportunities for St. Joseph’s. On their few scoring chances, Conaboy made saves, including a tremendous diving save on a penalty stroke from St. Joseph’s forward, Eva Gekas.
Due to the Bobcats’ defense, they possessed the ball for most of the half. This allowed them to rip nine shots at the Hawks goalkeeper, Rachel Barnett.
22 minutes into the half, Savanna Reilly dribbled into the scoring circle and dished the ball to Kristen Engelke (Medford, N.J.) who then scored the goal. Amanda Danziger (Smithtown, N.Y.) scored only three minutes later off of a penalty corner, her second of the year. Three minutes after Danzinger’s goal, Engelke picked up a loose ball, dribbled through traffic, and put away her sixth goal of the season and her second of the game. The intense streak of scoring for the Bobcats did not end there. With only 30 seconds remaining before halftime, Haley Swartz (Downington, Pa.) scored for the first time this year.
“We’ve really been focusing on scoring off rebounds,” Engelke said. “I just wanted to get the ball in however I could.”
At the half, the Hawks replaced Barnett with freshman Amelia Deibler. The switch paid off for the Hawks, as Deibler did not allow a goal in the second half.
The Hawks’ offensive attack picked up, forcing Conaboy to make several saves. The Bobcats were unable to sustain the pressure that they had applied in the first half, resulting in a more balanced period. Both teams attempted three shots on goal and ran time off the clock as they coasted to their third straight win.
“To be able to see all our subs come in to play, to see the depth that we have, and do see what we have to work on is key,” head coach Becca Main said.
Quinnipiac’s next game is against Holy Cross at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.
