Women's College Soccer
Quinnipiac University 2, Rider University 0
HAMDEN, CT— Overlooking the Quinnipiac soccer field here in the Mount Carmel section of Hamden is the Sleeping Giant Mountain, which receives its name from its anthropomorphic resemblance to a slumbering human figure.
On Saturday, the Broncs may have awoken a sleeping giant in the QU Bobcats, who came into the game with just six goals in seven games but scored twice in the final 17 minutes to begin their first season in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a 2-0-1 conference mark.
“It was a tough game,” said Rider head coach Drayson Hounsome. “We struggled for the first 15 minutes but after that we played well in the first half, once we got into a rhythm. We played well the first 30 minutes of the second half. We had the chances, we had the shots.”
QU (2-4-2, 2-0-1 MAAC) scored in the 73rd minute from in close to break a scoreless tie and scored an insurance goal on a header off of a corner kick with 10 minutes remaining. “That took the wind out of our sails,” Hounsome said.
Rider (4-5, 1-2 MAAC) out-shot Quinnipiac 8-7, including 4-2 in shots on goal. Both of QU's shots on goal went in.
“One was a rebound and the other was from a corner,” Hounsome said.
The Bobcats had five corner kicks to four for Rider. “We played well, the girls really battled,” Hounsome said. “They dug deep, but still a disappointing loss.”
Players earning praise from their coach included freshman Hollie Kelsh (Lancashire, England/Sandbach), freshman Priscilla Santos (Glendora, Calif./Glendora), freshman Caroline Healy (Dublin, Ireland/Alexandra College) and freshman Michelle Iacono (Merrick, N.Y./Calhoun).
“The freshmen did well,” Hounsome said. “Hollie, Priscilla and Caroline did well and Michelle was dangerous,” Hounsome said.
Iacono had three of Rider's eight shots.
This was the first-ever meeting between Rider and Quinnipiac in women's soccer.
Rider travels to Marist for a MAAC contest October 5. “Now we have to regroup before another three-hour bus ride to play Marist,” Hounsome said.
The Quinnipiac Polling Institute conducts independent surveys of residents throughout the country, conducting public opinion polls on politics and public policy. It is noted for excellence and accuracy by national and international news organizations, and is often cited during election campaigns.
Following the women's soccer game on Saturday, the 'survey says' Quinnipiac is a very worthy opponent in the MAAC.
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