The Quinnipiac Bobcats (2-2, 0-0 Big East) field hockey team will be facing off against the Maine Black Bears (3-0, 0-0 Colonial Athletic Association) in Hamden, Connecticut. The Bobcats are coming off a 2-0 loss at home against Michigan State last week. Friday, August 24 the Bobcats lost 7-0 to Boston College, the 13th ranked team in nation. They bounced back nicely, winning two in a row against Vermont and Columbia. The Black Bears are undefeated this season. They won their opening game against Holy Cross by an astounding score of 9-1 and are coming off two very convincing wins last weekend. The first win came against Boston College 2-1, and the following night, Maine clawed out 2-1 overtime win against Ohio State, the 21st ranked team in the nation.
Player to Watch
Quinnipiac: Valerie Perkins
Valerie Perkins is back for another year as a Bobcat and she is ready to make some noise. As a sophomore last season, she played in 10 games and started seven. She recorded three goals and one assist resulting in seven points in the season. This season, she has gotten increased playing time which resulted in a big goal in the 2-1 win against Vermont. Expect a big game from the forward against Maine as she aims for a breakout season.
Keys to the Game
Quinnipiac: Defense
The Black Bears only scored two goals in each against Ohio State and Boston College. However, those are two nationally ranked opponents. In their opener, Maine defeated Holy Cross by an astounding score of 9-1. Quinnipiac is going to have prevent an offensive outburst from the Black Bears if they stand a chance in this game. In the Bobcats opener against Boston College they lost 7-0. Quinnipiac went with Alicia Galasso in the goal that game. Since then Hannah Teicher has been in net for the Bobcats and has played exceptionally well. Teicher had six saves in the 2-1 against Vermont, and let up two goals in the 3-2 win against Columbia. Against Michigan State Teicher had five saves but the Bobcats failed to score as they lost 2-0.
Maine: Contributions from Everyone
Maine is a dangerous team. The undefeated Black Bears did damage against Holy Cross. Last weekend they pulled out two very convincing victories against Ohio State and Boston College, both of which were ranked teams. Riedl Libby and Samantha Wagg are the biggest threats to score, both leading Maine with three goals apiece this season. The Black Bears have stellar goalkeeping as well. Mia Borley has only let up one goal in each of Maine’s first three games. She will look to shut down Quinnipiac’s offence this saturday in Hamden and keep a zero in the loss column for the Black Bears.
Make sure to tune in to QBSN’s live broadcast of Quinnipiac vs. Maine from the Quinnipiac field hockey stadium in Hamden, Conn. For live updates throughout the game, make sure to follow @QBSN on twitter.
