Quinnipiac and Yale have a long history of rivalry in college sports. Today, the QU Field Hockey team took this rivalry to the field hockey arena in Hamden. Coming into this game today the Bobcats struggled with an 0-9 record in the Big East which is not a record you want to be facing Yale with. The matchup today against Yale proved to be a gritty one.  

First Quarter Action   

The Bobcats struck first with a goal from First-Year forward Emila Massarelli, her fifth goal of the season along with an assist from her fellow teammate Junior forward Julianna Cappello. Both teams played aggressive defense throughout, as the goalies did their best to keep the score down. Quinnipiac goalie Mack Vorel and Yale’s Luanna Summer were able to secure their teams with a pair of saves to prevent them from scoring anymore points. The Bobcats remained on top with 1-0 lead. 

Second Quarter Drama  

The Bulldogs were not backing down, missing many scoring opportunities, and dominating in shots. Jess Halley, and Massarelli were the only two Bobcats to get shots on goal in this quarter. Yale’s Ellie Barlow, Theodora Dillman, and Imogen Davies put the pressure on Vorel, but could not break her stand.  

Second Half Mayhem  

 Third quarter brought more pressure on the Bobcats defense, with Vorel grabbing four saves at the start. The Bulldogs were still struggling to maintain fouls in the game and a few questionable calls by the officials drew some noise from the crowd. 

An official video review lead to a scoring opportunity for Yale. A play from the penalty corner by Yale sophomore forward Lena Ansari tied the game for the Bulldogs making the score 1-1 with assists by Yale’s Davies and Alissa Wong. 

 Another scoring opportunity fell short for the Bobcats as an official call was overturned. In the final minutes of the regulation, Massarelli, the team’s leader in goals, scored which sent the Bobcats bench into a roar. This was Massarelli’s second goal of the game and her sixth of the season.  

“I think we are doing a very good job passing the ball and doing a good job as a team,” Massarelli said.  

With less than 15 second left on the clock, Yale’s Maddy Wong sends the game into overtime.  

Overtime would bring a push from both teams offensively and defensively. Five minutes and thirty-three seconds into overtime, Quinnipiac Senior Brooke Whipkey scored. This overtime win gave the team its first win over Yale since 2017.  

“It felt really good the team’s been working really hard the past few weeks to get the ball in the cage,” Whipkey said.    

“I needed that more than any human on this campus right now, I needed a win, it felt good,” head coach Becca Main said. “We are trying to figure out who we are, our goals are high level. The next couple days are going to be rejuvenated days getting us to UConn on Friday.” 

The Bobcats will remain in Hamden as they prepare to take on UConn this coming weekend.