Unbeaten in their last four games, the Quinnipiac Bobcats (6-4-1 overall , 3-0-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) return home to Hamden on Saturday, Sept. 30 to take on the Monmouth Hawks (6-2-2 overall, 3-0 MAAC). This matchup has huge implications for both teams, as Quinnipiac and Monmouth are the only two undefeated teams left in the MAAC. With the Bobcats being the top scoring team in the MAAC and the Hawks being the top defensive team in the MAAC, this is definitely a matchup you won’t want to miss.
Keys to the Game
Quinnipiac – Score First
Kelsey Goldring and Ally Grunstein struck within four minutes from the start to give the Bobcats a two-goal lead in their last game against Fairfield. This was a lead they would never relinquish. Quinnipiac is 5-0-1 in games this season when they score first, and 1-4-0 when they do not. Scoring first is essential when playing Monmouth. The Hawks have an organized defense that has only conceded one goal since September 1. It is imperative for Quinnipiac to score first if they want to have a chance to get revenge from their 5-2 loss in last year’s MAAC Championship Game.
Monmouth – Finding their home form on the road
In West Long Branch, New Jersey, Monmouth is unstoppable. They are 5-0-0 with seven goals scored and only one goal conceded. It’s a whole new ballgame for the Hawks on the road, where they have only managed two goals and given up seven. To be fair, Monmouth has not given up a road goal since August 25, and they have yet to give up a goal in MAAC play this season. The main problem for them is finding ways to score away from home. It will be up to leading point-getters Rachelle Ross and Madie Gibson to fire the Hawks to glory in Hamden.
The Game
The last two matchups in the regular season between these two teams ended in overtime. Monmouth won 2-1 last season, while Quinnipiac won 3-2 in 2015. Be sure to tune into QBSN’s live broadcast of Quinnipiac vs. Monmouth from the Quinnipiac Soccer Stadium in Hamden, Connecticut. Ryan Chichester and Jonathan Banks will be on the call for this pivotal MAAC matchup. To receive in-game updates, make sure to follow our @QBSN reporters on Twitter: @ryanchichester1 and @jonathanbanks8_.
Link to the game: http://quinnipiacbobcats.com/watch/?Live=412&type=Live
