HAMDEN, Conn. – The Quinnipiac women’s hockey team picked up its second win in as many days on Saturday in Hamden, defeating the Union Dutchwomen 5-1. With the Bobcats defeating Rensselaer Friday night, this marks their 10th weekend sweep of the season. 

Saturday afternoon’s matinee matchup from M&T Bank Arena was a stalemate for the first half of the opening period, as both teams had quality chances but nothing to show for it. As the scoreclock approached the 10 minute mark, Nina Steigauf broke the ice for Quinnipiac and put the Bobcats ahead by one. 

As the first period carried on, the momentum was seemingly all on Quinnipiac’s side. A rare defensive breakdown, however, proved to be costly for the Bobcats, as Dutchwomen first line center Celeste Beaudoin lit the lamp on a breakaway and evened the score.  

At the conclusion of the first period, both teams had a goal each. 

Once the puck dropped on the second period of play from Hamden, it was more of the same. Though the Bobcats dominated the shot board, the score remained even and each squad’s scoring chances were tit for tat. 

By the end of the middle frame, the only additions to the box score were two overlapping penalties assessed to Quinnipiac. Once both had been killed off by the Bobcats, the Dutchwomen had only registered a single shot in 3:59 of power play time. 

After 40 minutes of play, the score remained deadlocked at one goal a side. 

There was a different feeling in the air at the rink today, as Quinnipiac University celebrated Senior Day, and had each of the senior players’ and graduate students’ parents and families in attendance. The Bobcats were brought out for the third period, each of them wanting to give their No. 1 fans something to cheer for. 

And cheer they did. 

Just 5:12 into the third period, senior forward Alexa Hoskin broke the tie with her fifth red light of the year, and with her mom and dad in the building. Following suit just 2:13 after Hoskin’s tally, NCAA Rookie of the Year candidate Madison Chantler doubled the lead on a gorgeous goal that brought Union netminder Sophie Matsoukas down to the ice. 

By this point, Quinnipiac had all the momentum and M&T Bank Arena was rowdy. Two quick goals to put the Bobcats up by just that much was certainly something to cheer for, but they weren’t done yet. Graduate student Shay Maloney put a stamp on her final regular season home game by racking up her 14th goal of the season, a mere 2:10 after Chantler’s. 

One more tally from senior Sadie Peart sent the Bobcats into the sunset with a 5-1 victory and their 27th win of the 2022-23 campaign. 

Following the final horn, Quinnipiac University and its president, Judy Olian, held a ceremony for the four seniors and five graduate students who have skated for the Bobcats all year. Each player was recognized one by one, and got the chance to celebrate with their teammates and coaches, as well as their parents and any family members that may have traveled to Hamden. 

For the duration of the post game festivities, there wasn’t one Bobcat skater without a gleeful smile across their face, as each of them were all ecstatic to celebrate and share that moment with their elder teammates. 

Due to the ceremony, head coach Cass Turner was not able to provide her thoughts on today’s game, as she did not hold a postgame press conference. 

Despite that, it was another perfect weekend for the Bobcats, and the Senior Day celebration was a perfect way to close it out. The Quinnipiac women’s hockey team now has two regular season games left, both of which will be played next weekend as they visit St. Lawrence and Clarkson, respectively.