By Ethan Savluk
Senior Jess Rusin (Garwood, N.J.) ascended even higher into Bobcat greatness as she captured the Quinnipiac all-time total points record on Friday. Her two-goal performance lead the Bobcats (9-5, 2-0 MAAC) to a 3-0 win over Robert Morris (7-6, 0-2 MAAC).
The Bobcats struck quickly, just five minutes into the first half, when Rusin scored off of a pass from junior Danielle Allan (Riverdale, N.J.), giving the Bobcats a 1-0 lead. This goal tied Rusin with Heather Cady’s 2002 mark of 80 career points.
For the remainder of the first half, the Bobcats and the Colonials battled each other defensively, allowing no room for error. This defensive standoff carried into halftime where the Bobcats held a 1-0 lead over the Colonials.
In the second half, the Colonials picked up their offensive pressure, firing eight shots at junior goalkeeper Megan Conaboy (Clark Summitt, Pa.). The Colonials had nothing to show for their barrage of shots, as Conaboy and the Bobcats were able to keep the ball out of the goal.
The Bobcats scored again, as Allan once again fed Rusin the ball in front of the goal. Rusin blasted the ball past the goalkeeper and into the record books as she currently holds the Bobcats’ career points record at 82. The goal also marked Rusin’s 11th of the season, a career high.
Senior Christa Romano (Madison, N.J.) added the Bobcats’ third goal in the 58th minute. Sophomore Meghan McCullough (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.) and senior Amanda Danziger (Smithtown, N.Y.) had assists on the goal.
“It feels amazing,” Rusin said, on breaking the school records. “It’s an incredible feeling, but now that it’s over and both records are broken, I’m really just focused on winning the MAAC championship.”
Defense also played a major role in the Bobcats’ success as goalkeeper Conaboy recorded her third shutout of the season. She finished with six saves, while the team made another three.
“I think she had some really outstanding saves today,” head coach Becca Main said. “She pulled it out today and did a really nice job.
The win marks the Bobcats’ eighth win in their past nine games. They look to carry their current success into their next conference matchup against Rider on Friday, Oct. 25 at 4:00 p.m. at Ben Cohen Field in Lawrence, N.J.
