By Tommy Sullivan, QBSN Staff Writer
The Quinnipiac Bobcats (2-3-4, 0-0-1 MAAC) and the Iona Gaels (3-4-2, 0-0-1 MAAC) played to a 0-0 tie in the first MAAC Conference match up of the season for either team.
The game was heralded as a goaltending match up, and both Borja Angoitia (1.15 GAA, .778 save percentage) and Julian Petrello (1.22 GAA, .767 save percentage) didn’t disappoint as they each notched a clean sheet.
Though the game ended without a goal being scored, there were a few chances throughout the game for the Bobcats.
In the first half, Quinnipiac was able to generate four corner kicks and seven shots, but could not find a way to capitalize. The closest opportunities came off the head of Tobi Esche (Bremen, Germany). First he directed a corner kick towards the net, but Petrello was able to get there for the save. Then just a few minutes later, Esche headed another corner, but this one trailed slightly over the bar.
That trend would continue for the Bobcats who peppered Petrello with six shots on goal in the second half, though Petrello was able to save them all of them, including a Simon Hinde (Canberra, Australia) shot late in the half that was going to sneak under the bar, except Petrello was able to make an exceptional diving save.
As the game moved to overtime, both teams tightened up on defense as there were only four total shots in both overtime (zero on goal), and there were few legitimate opportunities for either team to pull ahead.
All of these opportunities came after Machel Baker (Spanish Town, Jamaica), second on the team in goals and points, was a late scratch, which led to extra opportunities for Ryan Scheiderman (Brick, N.J.) and Justin Kody (Northborough, Mass.), who drew praise from head coach Eric Da Costa.
“[Kody and Scheiderman] are coming along nicely for us,” Da Costa said. “Unfortunately Justin Kody gets injured there, but he had a few good minutes. He got himself half a breakaway a one point … We got some production from different guys in the attacking role, which is nice to see.”
Even with all the opportunities on the offensive side, Angoitia’s play continues to be a bright spot for the Bobcats. After shutting out Yale 1-0 last Saturday, he continued the clean sheet today. The back line of the Bobcats limited the opportunities for the Gaels, but Angoitia was able to do the job when he was called upon.
“He’s doing a good job,” Da Costa said. “He’s continued in keeping his consistency up which is nice to see, and obviously keeps the team and the back line more confident.”
The Bobcats look to continue the strong defensive play Saturday, Oct. 12 when they travel to Niagara University to play the Purple Eagles.
