By Angelique Fiske, QBSN Publishing Editor
The Quinnipiac women’s soccer team began its season better than any other in its history, but the Harvard Crimson came into Hamden determined to end the Bobcats’ undefeated ways. The Crimson succeeded, defeating the Bobcats 3-0 Wednesday afternoon. The loss is the first of Quinnipiac’s season, dropping its record to 4-1-1.
“You are what your record says you are,” Quinnipiac head coach Dave Clarke said. “This was a good wake up call.”
The Crimson sounded the alarm early in the first half. Alika Keene settled the ball in Bobcat territory and sent it into the crowded box. Elizabeth Weisman, in spite of being surrounded, trapped the ball and turned it around, maneuvering around defenders and tapping it by a diving Jill Kelley (Simsbury, Conn.). This 1-0 Harvard advantage marks the first time this season the Bobcats trailed in a game.
The first half remained quiet with failed offensive endeavors by both teams, Quinnipiac notching only two shots on net and Harvard eight.
Harvard’s second goal came as solo effort by Lauren Varela. Not long after, Kelley was pulled in favor of freshman keeper Natalia Grodzki (Bartlett, Ill.).
Despite the fresh legs in net, the Crimson put the final dagger in the hopes of a Bobcat comeback in the waning minutes of the game. Emily Mosbacher earned her first goal of her career, taking a Catherine Coppinger offering to the left corner.
Clarke acknowledged the struggles the team faced in preparation for this game, and though they were not unconquerable, the weaknesses were exposed.
“We knew that there was going to be gaps,” Clarke said. “We might have got away with it against other teams, but when you play these teams that’s not going to happen.”
Quinnipiac next hits the road against Siena on Sunday, Sep. 16 at 1 p.m. While a non-conference matchup, the Bobcats are treating it with just as much severity as a Northeast Conference game.
“You really don’t want to be going into the NEC on the back of two losses,” Clarke said.
The game at Siena serves as Quinnipiac’s final non-conference game of the season. With that, there is little room for error as it begins the NEC journey that will make or break its season.
