The Quinnipiac Bobcats (7-6-2 overall, 4-2-2 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) will look to close out their final home match of the 2017 season with a win as they welcome the Manhattan Jaspers (8-6-1 overall, 6-2-0 MAAC) to Hamden. The Jaspers come to Quinnipiac riding a two-game winning streak with 5-0 and 2-0 victories over Canisius and Fairfield, while the Bobcats are reeling from their 4-0 win against Niagara. This matchup has immense implications for the MAAC. Each team is battling for the highest seed possible to give themselves the best chance to win the MAAC Tournament in two weeks time.
Players to Watch
Quinnipiac – Al Pelletier (Junior Forward)
Al Pelletier is on an absolute tear for the Bobcats. The Connecticut native tallied three goals last week to lead all MAAC players. Other than her clear ability to put the ball in the back of the net, Pelletier leads by example, flying down the wing with energy and aggression. The passion she showed in her celebration against Iona exemplifies her passion as a leader for this Bobcats team. Since Manhattan will most likely hone in on Nadya Gill, Quinnipiac’s main offensive threat, Pelletier will be afforded time and space to add to her totals of six goals and five assists. It will be up to her to cash in on her chances and boost the Bobcats to victory.
Manhattan – Arianna Montefusco (Sophomore Forward)
When Arianna Montefusco registers a goal or assist this season, the Jaspers have only lost once. In games where she has scored, the Jaspers have not lost. Even though she is only a sophomore, Montefusco is a key catalyst in the Manhattan attack. The Levittown, New York native has five goals on the year, including two in Manhattan’s last tilt against Fairfield. Before that, in Manhattan’s 5-0 destruction of Canisius, Montefusco led the offensive outburst when she assisted the first goal and drew a penalty kick for their second. Manhattan will need their second-leading scorer to be clinical in the final third if they want to escape Hamden with three points and go joint-top of the MAAC.
The Game
Be sure to tune in to QBSN’s live broadcast of Quinnipiac vs. Manhattan from the Quinnipiac Soccer Turf Complex in Hamden. Jake Ziegler and Jonathan Banks will be on the call for this matchup. To receive updates during the game, follow the @QBSN account and our commentators on Twitter: @jakeziegler18 and @jonathanbanks8_.
Link to Broadcast: http://quinnipiacbobcats.com/watch/?Live=396&type=Live
