Late Boston Surge Not Enough, as Bobcats Hang on to Win Their Home Opener

Photo%3A+Alex+Bayer

Photo: Alex Bayer

Brandon Murdock

The Quinnipiac women’s lacrosse team defeated Boston University 13-12 on Saturday afternoon. 

Despite coming into the game with a record of 0-5, the Terriers showed they were a much better team than what the record book says, as they made life difficult for the Bobcats all day. 

The first quarter opened with a goal by Quinnipiac sophomore attack Maddie Noel which was matched by Boston junior midfielder Jennifer Barry less than a minute later. The rest of the quarter was a back-and-forth affair between the two teams, each trading goals and ultimately ending tied 4-4. 

At the beginning of the second quarter, it looked like the Terriers might pull away as they scored back-to-back goals to take a 6-4 lead. 

This, however, is when the Bobcats got going. 

They responded with a flurry of their own, scoring five consecutive goals from late in the second quarter to the beginning of the third quarter, capped off by a rocket from junior midfielder Liza Bailey, giving the Bobcats a 9-6 lead. 

The third quarter was widely dominated by the Bobcats, as they turned their 7-6 halftime lead into 11-7 heading to the fourth, with a Bailey shorthanded goal with less than a minute to go in the quarter. 

It seemed like everything was in control for the Bobcats when they went up 12-8 with 13:04 left in the game, thanks to the first career goal by first-year attack Abby Wise. 

Things proceeded to get tight down the stretch. 

After the goal by Wise, the Terriers responded with four goals in a 3:12 span to tie the game at 12. They were led by a pair of goals from junior attack Lauren Kaye 

Quinnipiac first-year midfielder Ellagrace Delmond broke the tie with her fourth goal of the game a minute later, giving the Bobcats the lead for good. 

Fitting the theme of the fourth quarter, the final minute had plenty of drama itself as Bobcats junior goalkeeper Kat Henselder was forced to make a point blank save on a free position shot.  

The game was clinched when Delmond got a steal in the final 35 seconds, allowing for the Bobcats to run out the clock. 

“I knew we needed the ball back, so I had to come up with a big play,” Delmond said.  “I was just doing it for my teammates and that’s what we really needed right there.” 

Despite the loss, the Terriers were led by sophomore midfielder Kendall Sims who had four goals and Kaye who finished with three goals. 

This game was as back and forth and evenly matched as it gets, but ultimately the Bobcats were able to walk away with a victory. 

Quinnipiac improved to 3-1 with the win, which is the best start to a season for the Bobcats under head coach Tanya Kotowicz. 

“We just say one game at a time,” Kotowicz said. “As long as the Bobcat lacrosse team is getting better every game then we’re in the right place and good things happen from there.” 

It was a loud and supportive environment for the Bobcats in their first home game of the season. 

The Bobcats will look to build on their momentum as they are back in action when they play Bryant at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9 at home.