The Quinnipiac women’s soccer team achieved a stunning upset against the MAAC-leading Monmouth Hawks, by a score of 3-2. The Bobcats scored with just over four minutes remaining in overtime, and they were able to pull off a Senior Day shocker.
The first 10 minutes of the afternoon tilt was a back and forth affair, but Monmouth slowly started to chip away at the Quinnipiac defense. The Hawks held possession for almost 15 minutes straight, capping that stretch of dominance with a rocket of a goal from senior Brianne Boyle.
Just over three minutes later, Bobcats junior Kelly Caruso made a cross from just outside the box, and freshman Jess Gargan drove it home to tie the game at one. Monmouth picked up the pace for the rest of the half, battering Quinnipiac goalkeeper Natalia Grodzki with shot after shot, but the senior held fast. The two teams were tied going to the break.
The beginning of the second half saw the Bobcats start to take control of the game. They wore away the Hawks’ defense and came away with several scoring opportunities—resulting in a goal by senior Nicole Eriksen to give the Bobcats a 2-1 lead.
Although the Bobcats continued to outplay the Hawks, they were the victims of a rather strange play, which knotted the game at two. With less than 16 minutes remaining in the game, a Monmouth scoring opportunity was seemingly thwarted by a Quinnipiac defender. The defender fell on top of the ball and Grodzki dove towards the play to gain possession of the ball. While Grodzki was trying to gain control, in swooped Hawks junior Alexis McTamney, who poked the ball over Grodzki and knotted the score at 2.
The game went to overtime and was still tied after one period. Midway through the second period, Bobcats junior Jessica Fontaine gained possession on the left wing and shot a beautiful cross past Monmouth goalkeeper Sydney Lavan. Bobcat freshman Nadya Gill kicked the ball right into Lavan, but controlled the rebound and flicked the ball over the goalie’s left shoulder to send the Bobcats home victorious.
The win improves Quinnipiac to 6-6 on the year, and 2-3 in MAAC play. The Bobcats’ next game is at home on Wednesday against Manhattan.
