The women’s soccer team faced the Niagara Purple Eagles this Saturday, and tied the game at 1-1 in a double overtime match off.
Early in the first half, a handball in the box was called against the Eagles, giving the Bobcats a penalty kick opportunity. Senior Aine McKeever (Derry City, Ireland) took the shot, and gave the Bobcats a 1-0 lead as the ball bounced off the left post for a goal, her third of the season.
McKeever led the Bobcats with their first goal, along with three shots. Head coach Dave Clarke had no doubt McKeever would score.
“She is a great penalty kicker, always doing what she has to do,” Clarke said.
In the second half with 13:36 minutes remaining, Niagara’s Breanna Catipovic took a deep shot that curved into the upper right hand corner, tying the score at 1-1. The game went into a double overtime but neither team could add to the board.
Each team played physical, totaling 17 fouls each. Quinnipiac’s goalkeeper, sophomore Natalia Grodzki had a total of three saves, one of which was a one-on-one face off against a Purple Eagle.
During the first half, Quinnipiac had control, maintaining possession and playing strong defense, according to senior Taylor Healey (Milford, Conn.).
“The defense works their buts off the entire game,” Healy said.
She noted that there is still work to be done.
“Either the tempo drops or we break down,” she said. “There are always things to take from a game. We need to always pressure and [never] assume we have the lead.”
The Bobcats travel to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. on Wednesday to look for a win against the Marist Red Foxes.
Click here to see photos from the game.
