HAMDEN, Conn – Quinnipiac men’s soccer finally emerges triumphant in a conference game for the first time in 25 days, right in time to end their October on a high note.

It’s a victory they desperately needed, now sitting only one point outside a coveted MAAC playoff spot. The Bobcats shockingly missed that mark in 2023 after winning their conference the year before.

A theme of adversity has been looming over the Bobcats’ heads for the past two years and it certainly played its part in this game.

It was a warm day for October when Quinnipiac took on Merrimack at the Quinnipiac Soccer & Lacrosse Stadium, and this game started quickly. 

Merrimack’s Samuel Bevin scored off a cross from Bennet Morrill in just the sixth minute of the match. Merrimack was able to slow down the game, and Quinnipiac matched their pace. 

The first half was marked by a chippy back and forth in the midfield and a slew of missed chances from the Bobcats. Quinnipiac had their best chance to equalize 15 minutes in with a penalty kick, but they didn’t convert. 

They had a total of 10 shots to Merrimack’s two, but the score remained the same after the first whistle. 

Head coach Eric Da Costa knew his team would keep their chins high.

“We concede an unfortunate goal in the first five minutes, and the situation that we’re in as a team it was probably easy for us to just shut up shopping and move on,” said Da Costa. “But great character from the guys, from one through 27. The bench contributed tremendously today.”

The bench ended up being much more important than anyone in attendance would have guessed. Da Costa’s substitutions were masterful in this game, and those guys had all three goals and an assist. 

Before those goals got in though, Merrimack made a crucial mistake. 

Defender Gabriele Bosio drew his second yellow card in the 54th minute, which meant Quinnipiac had the man advantage for the rest of the game.

One minute later, the Bobcats finally got on the board with a goal from first year forward Juan Hernandez with assists from sophomore midfielder Francisco Ferreira and senior midfielder Filip Kangeman. Kangeman was particularly great on this play, saving Ferreira’s long pass from going out of bounds and putting it right on Hernandez’s foot.

From here, the Bobcats really turned on the jets. In the half, they put up 13 shots, including a phenomenal header from junior center back Luke Schierenbeck off Jacob Garrigues’ corner kick in the 73rd. 

Merrimack only had one shot in the second half, but they made it count. 

After a Quinnipiac injury, the game was temporarily played 10 on 10, and with another great cross from the Warriors, the game was tied in the 85th minute.

The air emptied the stadium, but the Bobcats weren’t done yet.

Quick responses were key and this one and junior forward Ramesh Delsouz had a moment of individual brilliance, dribbling into the box and ripping one into the top right corner. 

When asked about his dramatic game-winner (and his first collegiate goal!), he had calmed down from the celebration.

“Honestly, I’m a bit lost for words. It was a crazy game when it scored to two – two, I was like, damn,” said Delsouz. “This is a game that we have to win, and the three points were crucial. If I can contribute, I’m happy.”

The Bobcats will make the hike to Buffalo to take on Niagara away in a must-win game on Saturday at 2 pm.