Quinnipiac University
Fairfield
QU Men's Soccer Falls to Fairfield 3-1 in Penalty Kicks
11/14/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Hamden, Conn. – The attendance of 2,044 fans at the MAAC Semifinal game between the No. 1 Quinnipiac Bobcats and No. 6 Fairfield Stags was the largest ever at a soccer game in Bobcats history. The Quinnipiac men's soccer team fell 3-1 in penalty kicks to the Fairfield Stags on Saturday afternoon after neither team was able to score through regulation and two overtime periods. Fairfield advances to the MAAC Championship game against the Monmouth Hawks on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 12 PM.
The second semifinal game was played largely on the defensive side of the ball as neither side could find the back of the net through 110 minutes of play. Only four shots were recorded in the first frame, two by each team. Quinnipiac worked the ball between their back line, including 2014 MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year Borja Angoitia (Bilbao, Spain), but were unable to find a decent look at goal.
The second 45 minutes played out much the same as the first, this time Fairfield outshot the Bobcats 6-4. Like the first half, neither team could find openings on the field or challenge either keeper. Quinnipiac registered just one shot on goal through regulation. Sophomore James Doig (Liverpool, England) took a try at goal off a free kick from about 30 yards out, but the Fairfield keeper was there for the easy save.
The Bobcats' best chance at a score came in the first overtime when senior Ashton Pett (Auckland, New Zealand) fired a blistering shot on goal from the right side of the box. The Stags' goalkeeper, Matt Turner, came up with a huge save to send the ball high over the crossbar. Quinnipiac had another great opportunity at a goal in the second overtime off a free kick from Maxx Rothenbucher (Munich, Germany). Rothenbucher set up a couple yards outside the box and sent a beautiful ball just wide of the near post.
After two overtimes Fairfield outshot Quinnipiac 11-8 while both keepers needed just two saves. In the penalty kick shootout, the Stags took a quick lead after burying the first shot. Angoitia missed the first try for Quinnipiac, but was able to make a diving stop on the next Fairfield attempt. Freshman John-John Diaz stepped up with a perfect strike to the left corner and off the hands off Turner. With the kicks tied at one apiece, Angoitia made another great save but Quinnipiac was unable to capitalize. Juniors Tobias Esche (Bremen, Germany) and James Greco (Long Valley, New Jersey) were both stopped by Turner. Fairfield scored on their third and fourth kicks to secure a spot in the MAAC Championship.
With the result, the Bobcats finish the season with an overall record of 10-4-5.
Prior to the game, the first semifinal was played at QU Soccer Field. The number four seeded Monmouth Hawks took down the number two Iona Gaels 2-0 to advance to the title game for the second straight year. The championship game will take place at the QU Soccer Field in Hamden, Conn. on Sunday, Nov. 14 at 12 PM.
Student-Athletes, parents and fans can download the 2014-15 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.
