The Quinnipiac Bobcats (1-4-1, 0-0 MAAC) welcomed the Fordham Rams (4-2-1, 0-0 Atlantic 10) to Hamden yesterday, but a Janos Loebe goal in the 68th minute proved to be the difference as the Bobcats fell, 1-0.
Both teams had trouble setting a tempo early in the game, as most of the first half consisted in a back-and-forth battle for possession but no real scoring opportunities. Quinnipiac’s defense, who’s Achilles heel this season has been conceding in the first half, put pressure on Fordham early and often. They intercepted passes in the final third and maade crucial tackles inside the penalty box to keep the score even at zero going into the half.
“Defensively, I thought in the first half, our guys were excellent,” said Quinnipiac head coach Eric Da Costa.
The first legitimate scoring opportunity for either side came in the 10th minute, when Quinnipiac junior forward Rashawn Dally put a shot on target from just outside the six-yard box, but the shot was saved by Rams goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu. Twenty-six minutes later, Fordham’s Janos Loebe produced the best chance at netting a first half goal for either side when he received a pass and got past several Bobcat defenders. He found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Chysostomos Iakovidis, managed to sneak the ball past him, but only found woodwork.
The Bobcats came out in the second half looking like a completely different team, getting offensive pressure and continuously getting into the Rams’ final third. However, every time they got the ball near the penalty box, the play stalled, and Fordham found a way to dispel any momentum the Bobcats had going.
“In the second half, the first fifteen, twenty minutes, I thought we did everything we needed to do from the midfield line to the top of the [eighteen-yard box],” said Da Costa. “but once we got to that point, we just ran out of ideas.”
Chrysostomos Iakovidis provided some excitement in the 49th minute, when Fordham’s Jannik Loebe was in on goal and appeared to be in perfect position to push the Rams ahead. However, Iakovidis provided a brilliant sliding save with his leg, keeping the scoreline even at zero for the time being. The Quinnipiac defense kept Fordham off the board until the 68th minute, when Fordham wing Janos Loebe received a pass at the top of the six-yard box, took a shot with his right foot, squeaked the ball under a diving Iakovidis, and tucked it into the bottom right. The goal was Loebe’s fourth on the season, and it proved to be the difference maker in a game in which Quinnipiac saw limited offensive production.
“We didn’t create enough chances to win the game today,” said Da Costa on his team’s offensive showing. “We didn’t build enough goal scoring opportunities, we didn’t take enough shots on target, and we didn’t take enough shots in general. The movement up top wasn’t great, and when you can’t generate offense, you can’t win games.”
Tempers began to flare late in the second half, as three yellow cards were shown within 150 seconds of each other. One went to Fordham midfielder Matt Miller, one to Quinnipiac midfielder Filosmar Cordiero, and one to Fordham head coach Jim McElderry.
The Bobcats also played short-handed, as both Eamon Whalen and William Pustari were sitting due to injury.
“Will and Eamon give us what we need, and we definitely miss them. We’re certainly looking forward to both of them coming back quickly,” said Da Costa on the injuries.
When asked if they would be able to play on Saturday against New Hampshire, Da Costa’s answer was simple: “I hope so.”
The result is disappointing for a Bobcat team that had some momentum after drawing nationally-ranked UMass Lowell on Wednesday. However, team leader James Doig says the loss is not something to dwell on, as they need to turn their attention to New Hampshire and the beginning of conference play.
“It’s too short to dwell on today or tomorrow. In a few days, we’ll think about it and work on it… then we play New Hampshire at home, and then it’s conference play,” said Doig. “We haven’t got time to be upset or to pity ourselves or to worry, we just need to turn it over, get back into training, and get back to it.”
Quinnipiac’s next chance to get back to it will come on Saturday, Sept. 23 against New Hampshire, as the Bobcats will use the game as their final tune-up before conference play begins.
