In their annual breast cancer awareness game, Marist (4-5-4, 3-0-4 MAAC) and Quinnipiac (4-3-5, 4-0-4 MAAC) squared off at Tenney Stadium on a breezy Wednesday afternoon. Both teams entered the contest on seven-game unbeaten streaks, which were extended to eight with the draw.
The Bobcats entered the match on a seven-game winning streak against Marist dating back to 2019, winning all seven matchups. Before the season began, the 2024 MAAC-runner ups finished second in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll, with senior defender Madison Alves named to the Preseason All-MAAC Team.
Senior goalkeeper Maddy Catalanotti notched her fourth clean sheet of the season, collecting three saves in the process. The Red Foxes’ defense was stout all afternoon, particularly in the second half, where Quinnipiac did not attempt a shot.
“They say the best save you can have is no save as a goalie,” said Catalanotti. “We talk about being gritty out there, and they [the defense] were leaving it all out there, blocking shots with their bodies.”
Each side’s offense started stagnant. The Bobcats maintained possession for the majority of the half, but Marist’s strong defense prevented them from garnering any real goal-scoring opportunities. The Bobcats did take three corner kicks, but were unable to capitalize on any of them.
The Red Foxes did not attempt their first shot on goal until the 22nd minute, coming off the foot of sophomore forward Gabby Tirado. Tirado entered the match with 25 shots on goal, good for second in the MAAC. The sophomore added two more shots on goal to her tally in this match. Tirado, a captain who’s scored six times this season, has been leading all over the field.
The end of the first half finally delivered chances for both teams; sophomore defender Sophia DeJoia found graduate student midfielder Ava Nielsen in the box, but Nielsen’s shot went awry. The Bobcats attempted a free kick, but the chance fell short.
The opening half featured only four shots on goal, with three for the Bobcats and one for the Red Foxes.
Marist came out of the break with more pace on offense, putting pressure on the Bobcat defense. In the first 10 minutes of the half, the Red Foxes attempted five shots, a far cry from their sluggish start to the game offensively.
“The environment today was a huge factor,” said head coach Nicole Pacapelli Ciano. “I think it was really good for us to get the wind in the second half.”
The second half began with a golden opportunity for the Red Foxes to break the scoreless tie. Senior midfielder Jillian Garcia and Tirado had excellent looks at the net, but graduate student goalkeeper Gwen Hoyt made two stellar saves to keep the game deadlocked at zero. Hoyt recorded four saves in the contest to help preserve the tie.
Garcia had an impactful game on the offensive side of the ball; The senior’s explosiveness kept the Bobcat defense on their heels, accumulating two shots, second most behind Tirado.
“I thought she [Garcia] created a lot of opportunities for us and gave us a lot of chances,” said Pacapelli Ciano. “We had one or two we could have put away, but the keeper stood tough.”
Throughout the half, Marist continued to generate great looks at the goal, but was unable to find the back of the net. Tirado fired a corner kick that hit off the post, while a few more Marist shots missed just high.
The Red Foxes now sit fourth in the MAAC and are one of three remaining undefeated sides.
Marist will be back in action on Saturday, travelling to take on Merrimack (4-6-2, 3-3-0 MAAC). Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.
Edited by Ryan Eichen
Graphic and Photo by Jaylen Rizzo
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