Quinnipiac University
Rider
Comeback Bid Falls Short for QU Women's Soccer as Bobcats Drop Conference Match to Rider, 2-1
10/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
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- QU Women's Soccer Homepage
- QU Women's Soccer Schedule (Downloadable on iCalendar)
- MAAC Women's Soccer Homepage
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, N.Y. – Sophomore Kelly Caruso (Rocky Hill, Conn.) scored her second career goal on Saturday afternoon, but two first half goals proved to be the difference in a 2-1 loss for the Quinnipiac University women's soccer team at Rider.
A tale of two halves, Quinnipiac fell behind early after a pair of Rider goals, but responded nicely in the second stanza. Outplaying Rider for the majority of the frame, Quinnipiac cut its deficit in half in the 79th minute on a brilliant goal off the right foot of Caruso. Quinnipiac pressed forward in the waning minutes, but couldn't find the equalizer solidifying the team's fifth one-goal loss of the season.
Quinnipiac's marker came on a crafty buildup down the right side of the field. After a centering pass from Ashley Wendland (Hamden, Conn.), Nicole Eriksen (Stamford, Conn.) helped the ball along with a header to the foot of Jessica Jankowski (Berkley Heights, N.J.). Jankowski pushed a pass backward to Caruso and the sophomore midfielder took full advantage of the opportunity. She blasted a beautiful strike from 25 yards out to the top right-hand corner of the net for the goal. It was her first tally of the season and upped her career point total to seven. Jankowski was credited with her first career point on the play.
Unfortunately for the Bobcats, the two goals in the first half goals were too much to overcome in the final result. Rider scored its first goal in the eighth minute when Tara Ballay scored on a header off a pass from Emily Schmitt. The eventual game-winner came 25 minutes later when a series of passes produced Rider's second goal. Carissa Sanchez was on the backend of the play, netting her second goal of the season from 10 yards out on the left side.
Ballay scored her 11th goal of the season, which currently leads the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). She also ranks top 10 nationally as well.
Junior goalkeeper Natalia Grodzki (Bartlett, Ill.) turned in a solid all-around performance in goal for Quinnipiac. She made three saves on the day, each of them requiring a diving or sliding effort.
Rider's keeper, Bethany-May Howard, made two saves in her eighth win of the season. The big save came in the first half, denying a fantastic strike from Ashley Wendland. Howard managed to tip the shot from 23 yards out over the crossbar and out for a corner kick. Quinnipiac couldn't cash in on the next play.
Quinnipiac fell to 1-1 all-time against Rider after defeating the Broncs last season in the series opener. Senior Caitlyn Shaw netted the game-winner in the 73rd minute and the Bobcats went on to score a 2-0 victory in Hamden. Jessica Fontaine (Enfield, Conn.) and Caruso picked up assists in the win.
Quinnipiac returns to action on Wednesday, Oct. 15 with a home game against Marist College. With just five games remaining, three points at home is almost a must to keep their playoff hopes alive. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at the QU Soccer Field.
Student-athletes, parents and fans can download the QU Athletics schedules to your laptop and mobile devices for free by clicking in the iCalendar link at the bottom of each sport's homepage or the master schedule page. Fans can also follow Quinnipiac Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@QUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates.
