The Quinnipiac men’s soccer team (0-4-1, 0-0-0 MAAC) will look to record their first win on the year when the University of Albany comes to town tomorrow at 4 p.m. in Hamden. The Bobcats are coming off a three-game road trip in which they only mustered two goals (both courtesy of junior forward Eamon Whelan). The Great Danes have fared better in recent times, as they struck twice in their last game, a 2-1 victory over Brown.
Keys to the Game
Quinnipiac- Score Early
Eric Da Costa’s men have packed their out-of-conference schedule with notably tough opposition (Boston College and UMass Lowell heading that list), but they have still struggled in the final third. The team has showed comfort building out of the back when lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, and has proved to be threatening when switching to a 3-5-2 and playing more direct (think Eamon Whelan’s goal against UMass-Lowell), but their goal threat has not been consistent. The aforementioned Whelan is the only player to put the ball in the back of the net all year for Quinnipiac. If Whelan or another player can score early against a stout Albany defense, then the team as a whole will gain new life and have more confidence to score when chances fall to their feet.
Albany- No Second Half Letoff
Whether or not Quinnipiac decides to play direct or a possession-based game, Albany should have no issues coping if they focus on controlling the game. When it comes to controlling the game, the Great Danes need to be patient and stay focused for the entire match. In the second half of matches, Albany has been susceptible defensively. The team has conceded seven times in the final half. In their last five games, the only goals the team has given up has been in the second half of play, except for one in an overtime loss to No. 25 Colgate. If the Great Danes want to escape Hamden with their second win on the hop, then they will need to neutralize the threat the Bobcats will possess in the second half.
Be sure to in to QBSN’s live broadcast of Quinnipiac vs. Albany from the Quinnipiac Soccer Turf Complex in Hamden. Will Fowler 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: @willfowler5 and @jonathanbanks8_.
