The University at Albany Great Danes (4-4-0) defeated the Quinnipiac University Bobcats (4-2-0) 4-1 today in a fast-paced and physical match. Sophomore Kiana Rugar led the Gread Danes with two goals and an assist.

Both of Rugar’s goals were scored with less than 10 minutes left in the match, and helped ensure victory for the Great Danes. Junior Alexa Schneider scored Albany’s first goal at 35 minutes in off a cross from Rugar. The second and game-winning goal came from freshman Vivian Vega at 49 minutes in. The lone goal for the Bobcats was scored by freshman Jess Gargan, at the 57-minute mark and was assisted by junior Jess Fontaine.

Through the first 30 minutes the game was evenly played and neither side was able to gain any momentum. But after the Great Danes scored their first goal at the end of the first half, and then a second goal soon into the second half, the Bobcats had to retaliate quickly. After the goal by Gargan, the game would remain 2-1 until the final 10 minutes of the game

Then, Quinnipiac head coach Dave Clarke decided to shake things up and bring up a defender as an extra offensive player to try and gain more scoring opportunities.

“We didn’t give ourselves a chance because we conceded right away, so we gambled and it backfired but that happens,” Clarke said. “You might as well lose 3-1., [even though] 2-1 looks good on the record because we only lost by 1 goal… [but] we were trying to get the goal back.”

Clarke also said he hopes this loss doesn’t affect the team’s momentum in to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play. “I hope [it doesn’t], you just never know with young players, you never know with any team,” he said, before adding that the team has accomplished all of the goals they set for non-conference play and will now create new ones for the MAAC.

Conference play begins for the Bobcats at Quinnipiac on Saturday, Sept.19, against Rider University.