The women’s soccer team (2-8-3, 2-4-1 MAAC) was dominated by the reigning MAAC champions, Quinnipiac University (8-3, 6-0 MAAC), conceding five consecutive goals in the first half in a 6-1 loss in Hamden, Connecticut. The six Quinnipiac goals set a new MAAC team high for total goals scored in a match this season.
Marist entered the contest scoreless in their last two matches, losing both of those games at home by a combined score of 6-0. The Red Foxes’ three goals on the season lands them a bottom five ranking in the nation in total goals scored. The scoring troubles do not pair nicely against Quinnipiac’s defense which has allowed just one goal in MAAC play this season.
Along with their stout defense, the Bobcats’ fiery offense came into the match with 21 goals on the season behind reigning MAAC Women’s Offensive Player of the Week, senior forward Courtney Chochol, who leads the MAAC in points, goals and assists (18p, 6g and 6a).
The Bobcats’ success on both sides of the ball has propelled them to first place in the MAAC along with a current six game win streak.
The Red Foxes gave up back-to-back goals in the opening ten minutes before allowing Quinnipiac to score three more quick goals in the 28th, 31st, and and 35th minutes.
In the opening four minutes Quinnipiac was able to send in four dangerous crosses into the box derived from build ups on the right wing by Chocholl. The Red Fox backline was able to put together a number of clearances but the Bobcats continued to retain possession.
In the fifth minute, Quinnipiac was awarded a free kick deep outside the box by the far right sideline which was taken by junior defender, Madison Mandleur.
Her inswinging cross bounced around numerous bodies in the box until the fifth year defender Kayla Mingachos found space for a shot which was initially blocked but Mingachos quickly followed it up with a commanding strike into the bottom right corner of the net.
Just three minutes later, yet another Bobcat cross was sent in, this time from the left wing. Marist’s sophomore defender, Emily Dovico, got to the ball first but was tackled by Chochol before she could deliver a clearance.
The ball ricocheted off the challenge and remained inside the Red Fox box, rolling to the right foot of senior forward, Emely van der Vliet, who sent a curling ball around sophomore goalkeeper, Maddy Catalanotti, to establish an early two goal lead.
Within the first half, the Red Foxes had a number of short lived offensive possessions, but they did have a scoring chance in the 14th minute.
Senior midfielder, Amanda Caldarelli, sent a curving left footed shot toward the upper left corner from outside the box, forcing a diving save by the two-time MAAC Defensive Player of the Week, senior goalkeeper Sofia Lospinoso.
In the 28th minute, a rapid Quinnipiac build up from inside their own half, led to the attack of graduate student midfielder, Olivia Scott, who was tripped up by Marist senior midfielder, Emily Harwood.
Harwood was charged with a yellow card, and the Bobcats were awarded a free kick right outside the box. Mandleur once again stepped up for the kick, sending a powerful left footed strike soaring over the wall and into the back of the net putting the Bobcats up 3-0.
Quinnipiac continued to pour on the pressure with another dangerous attack in the 32nd minute when freshman forward, Evelyn Keay, fired a right footed shot off the post before collecting her own rebound and shooting the follow up with her left, finding the back of the net.
Moments later, the deflated Red Fox defense appeared frozen in their tracks after a few missed clearances lead to Quinnipiac junior midfielder, Rachel Roman, finding the ball in the box with space, she was able to feed a wide open junior midfielder, Ella Gagno, with ample time to turn and score.
Gagno’s goal extended the lead to five with 15 minutes still to go in the first half.
Quinnipiac proceeded to sub in a number of reserves leaving in just a few starters. The Bobcats reserves were still able to control the game as Red Fox possessions remained short lived and sloppy until a much needed whistle ended the first half.
Four minutes into the second half, Marist sent a free kick from their box into the Quinnipiac half. The ball took a number of bounces preventing Quinnipiac from settling the ball.
Eventually, the Red Foxes were able to take possession which opened up space for a ball out wide to Caldarelli who volleyed the ball from Samantha Sturno out of the air, sending a looping ball over the head of Lospinoso and into the goal. The goal was Caldarelli’s first of the season and made it 5-1 with Quinnipiac still in control.
After getting on the board, the Red Fox energy was significantly uplifted and their press inside the Bobcat half ramped up.
In the 55th minute, Marist was able to hold Quinnipiac inside their half which allowed graduate student midfielder, Grace Hotaling, to take on two defenders toward goal before being fouled right outside the box for a dangerous looking Marist free kick.
Graduate student defender, Emma Deanae, elected to take the kick but her shot sent the ball sailing over the goal.
Quinnipiac continued to issue a number of substitutions including back up junior goalkeeper, Gwen Hoyt, who was forced to save a dangerous cross into the box by senior midfielder, Caroline Campion, as Marist continued to apply pressure on Quinnipiac coming out of the break.
The Bobcats were able to fend off the early second half pressure by Marist and returned to their dominant possession.
In the 64th minute, a Quinnipiac short corner play opened space for graduate student midfielder, Markela Bejleri, to send in a low cross into the box that found sophomore forward, Mileno Bronco, for her second career goal and the final goal of the match.
Marist’s 6-1 loss will certainly be disheartening as they drop their third straight loss and remain in eighth in the MAAC. The Red Foxes will hope to bounce back at home against Fairfield on Saturday night.
Edited by: Aidan Lavin
Photo Credit: Kira Crutcher
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