After suffering three consecutive losses to Iona dating back to the 2019 season, Quinnipiac women’s soccer got back in the win column against the Gaels with a 2-0 victory in a rainy conference matchup.
“Last year was a tough loss,” senior midfielder Emely van der Vliet said. “It definitely was a demon we had to slay, and we did it.”
Lily Schnieders set the tone with an eighth-minute goal to give Quinnipiac a 1-0 lead, as her forehead connected with the left-footed cross of junior defender Madison Mandleur. Schnieders’ goal forced Iona to increase their urgency and play from behind for the rest of the game.
“She’s probably the best finisher around the 18 (yard box),” head coach Dave Clarke said.
Quinnipiac’s ability to stay calm and composed on the ball allowed them to move straight through the back line of the Gaels’ defense. The Bobcats outshot Iona 17-5 on the day.
Throughout the second half, the Bobcats looked to get senior forward Courtney Chochol involved as much as possible.
“She’s becoming a leader of the team,” Clarke said. “When she’s in full flow, the rest of the team goes with her. It’s been good to see the evolution and the maturity in her performance, and how she’s grown from last year to this year.”
In the 77th minute, Chochol would find her way into the game. Chochol notched her sixth assist of the season with a brilliant feed to the right foot of van der Vliet. This was van der Vliet’s first goal of the season and the Bobcats’ second goal of the game.
As the Bobcats began to pull away, the Gaels began to get chippy with the hosts.
“You kind of have to keep calm,” Schnieders said. “You just kind of let it run off your chest and keep playing.”
Clarke also alluded to Quinnipiac’s perfect 5-0 record in MAAC play as a target for the rest of the conference.
“Every game now moving forward is going to be the same as this,” Clarke said. “We’re undefeated right now, and everyone wants to end that.”
Clarke also mentioned that although the Bobcats have won their last two contests, they have not played up to their potential.
“That’s two games in a row that we haven’t played as well as we’re capable,” Clarke said. “I think we can play better. You can’t ignore some of the warning signs.”
The Bobcats are back in action on Wednesday as Marist will travel to Hamden for a 2:30 p.m. conference matchup, where they look to break Quinnipiac’s unbeaten streak in conference play.
