Just about a year ago, the Quinnipiac Bobcats and the Canisius Golden Griffins faced off in the MAAC playoffs, a 3-1 victory for the Bobcats, sending them to the conference championship. These teams had the same exact seeds as the previous season and had the same stakes on the line.

Today, history would not repeat itself, however, as Canisius advanced to the MAAC final after its 2-1 victory over the Bobcats, which went to a shootout. 

Quinnipiac head coach Dave Clarke said his team “Should have won in 90 minutes and should have won in overtime,” explaining why the team should not have even been in the shootout to begin with. 

Quinnipiac would start the battle today, as it would boot the ball forward and immediately get a shot to begin the game. The teams would trade shots back and forth, but the game would remain scoreless, thanks to a save by Quinnipiac goalkeeper Olivia Jarvis. 

At halftime, the game would remain scoreless, with both sides trading opportunities. Most of the half was fought out in the midfield, with both squads making impressive defensive plays. Canisius goalkeeper Chloe Tseros recorded no saves, thanks to the efforts of the back line, while Jarvis recorded two. 

The Golden Griffins kicked off the second half and immediately ripped two shots, which Jarvis handled. The Bobcats responded with an attempt of their own, followed by a free kick into the box, both of which Tseros made brilliant saves on. 

After a review by the officials, Canisius was awarded a penalty kick to which Maggie Cregan took the shot and scored into the bottom left corner. The Golden Griffins would take the 1-0 lead three minutes into the half 

With 34 minutes remaining, Mary Molloy received a red card after a review, leaving the Golden Griffins down a player for the remainder of the game. The Bobcats got a free kick right outside the box as a result, and Corey Anderson capitalized, sending a rocket into the top right corner, tying the game at one. 

With 13 minutes to go, a cross was sent into the box where Morgan Cupo beat the goalie, but Lizzy Harkness was there to make a miraculous save as she slammed into the post. The score remained tied, 1-1, with tensions rising as the clock continued to tick. 

Regulation ended after a Bobcat header from a corner kick that went over the net. Heading into overtime, the score was 1-1. 

When asked how he keeps his team light when under pressure in overtime, Coach Clarke said “You have to take the pressure off them because it is a golden goal and you cannot make a mistake.” 

Five-and-a-half minutes into the first overtime period, the officials reviewed for a potential handball inside of the box, which would have given the Bobcats a chance at a penalty kick. However, the head official deemed no handball, and play resumed. 

As the first overtime period wound down, Jarvis made a save to eliminate the threat, which meant the game would go to the second and final overtime period. 

In the second half of overtime, there would be four Bobcat corner opportunities, with Tseros making saves on all of them, including one that was cleared off the line after a Cupo header and another that went into the net but was waved off after the referee ruled that Tseros had possession of the ball.

Coach Clarke said “We have to convert on those chances,” when talking about the differential in corner kick opportunities for his squad. 

To start the shootout, Cupo went first for the Bobcats. Tseros blocked her shot, giving Canisius the advantage. Next up was Cregan, who already converted a penalty kick earlier in the contest. She converted her second of the day in the exact same place as the first. 

Round two started with Molly Andrews for the Bobcats. Her shot hit the right post, as she failed her attempt as well. The Griffs sent up Skylar Cornell next. She sunk her shot into the bottom left corner, putting the Griffs up 2-0. 

Next up was Racquel Alexander, as she put the Bobcats on the board, converting on the left side as well. Jessica Whitaker responded for Canisius, which retained their lead of two. 

Catherine Gravas was the first to go to the right side, as she scored for the Bobcats. Jarvis saved the next attempt from Canisius, as Azaria Fagan missed to the right. 

Caroline Matyczyk scored her attempt to the right side, which tied the shootout for Quinnipiac. Canisius would win the contest, however, as Lizzy Harkness would win the game for the Golden Griffins. 

The Bobcats outshot the Golden Griffins 15 to six, and the Griffs had two corners compared to Quinnipiac’s 15. The Griffins miraculously held the game at 1-1, despite being down a player due to the red card. 

“It’s a tough way to go out,” Coach Clarke said, “But we will learn from it and come back stronger because of it next year.”

The Griffs will host the Sacred Heart Pioneers on Sunday in the MAAC Championship and a berth into the NCAA Tournament.