Conference play is upon us as the Quinnipiac men’s soccer team (1-5-1 overall, 0-0 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) gets set to take on the Fairfield Stags (4-3 overall, 0-0 MAAC) at the Quinnipiac Turf Complex in Hamden this Wednesday. A struggling Bobcats team looks to build some momentum against a team they have yet to lose to. Since joining the MAAC prior to the 2013-14 season, Quinnipiac is 3-0-1 when facing the Stags.
Players to Watch
Quinnipiac – Rashawn Dally
The junior forward leads the team with 14 shots, but has yet to find the back of the net. If Dally continues to shoot, he is bound to find a goal sooner or later. Dally has started every game for the Bobcats so far, and has been one of their bright spots to an otherwise dismal start to the season.
Fairfield – Don-Junior Bobe
Starting every game so far of his collegiate career, Bobe has burst onto the scene, scoring four of the Stags’ nine goals this season. The Quebec native has previously spent time with the U17 & U18 team’s for Major League Soccer’s Montreal Impact. The freshman goal-scoring machine will be a tough man to contain for the Bobcat defense.
Keys to the Game
Quinnipiac has struggled to score goals all year, registering just two in their opening seven games. In order to find their groove, they have to put shots on net. Only 40.6 percent of their shots have been on target so far. The Bobcats are the defending MAAC regular season champions, so a win in their conference opener would be ideal to the start in defense of their title. Fairfield has never beaten Quinnipiac, so the Stags will be out for revenge against their in-state rivals. In order to grab a victory, the Stags need to feed Don-Junior Bobe. He knows how to score goals, and could wreak havoc on the Bobcats all day if Fairfield uses him correctly.
The Game
It should be a great matchup Wednesday at 4 p.m. as both teams open up MAAC play for the 2017 season. Be sure to tune in to our livestream on to watch the game live. Matt Vulpis and Andrew Meyers have the call. Follow our Twitter @QBSN for live updates throughout the game.
