QU Field Hockey Storms Past Bryant 4-0 In MAAC Opener

Friday, October 9

Hamden, Conn.

3 pm

Quinnipiac University

Bryant

QU Field Hockey Storms Past Bryant 4-0 In MAAC Opener

10/9/2015 5:25:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

By: QU Sports Information

Hamden, Conn. - Senior midfielder Meghan McCullough (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.) had a goal and two assists as the Quinnipiac field hockey team used three goals off of penalty corners to take a 4-0 win over Bryant in the MAAC opener for both teams on Friday afternoon at QU Field Hockey Complex.

With the win, the Bobcats improve to 4-8 overall and start off conference play at 1-0, as they had four different goal scorers find the back of the cage. Bryant slips to 2-10 overall and 0-1 in the MAAC with the defeat.

"To play the tough schedule that we played in September and seeing it really pay off for us today with our strength and our power around the ball, I'm just really, really pleased," said Head Coach Becca Main. "I'm really excited to see what this is going to do for us on Sunday (vs. Providence) and in next week's MAAC play"

McCullough scored the eventual game-winner in the first half off a penalty corner as she found the roof of the cage at the 20:29 mark to stake the Bobcats to a 1-0 lead for her third goal of the season. The play came off assists from senior defender Megan Osanitsch (Harwinton, Conn.) and sophomore midfielder Dayna Barlow (Port Elizabeth, South Africa).

Sophomore midfielder Lauren Belskie also had a key play early when she had a defensive save in the second minute, clearing a rebound off the line after senior goalie Megan Conaboy (Clark Summit, Pa.) had the initial save on a Bryant counter. Conaboy was well off her line for the rebound, but Belskie hustled back to get into position at the far post to clear the Bryant attempt away.

Quinnipiac then took control of the match with an insurance goal off a scramble just 1:00 into the second stanza, when junior Lily Shemo (Luzerne, Pa.) scored off a short pass in the circle from Barlow just as a Bryant penalty expired. It was Shemo's first goal of the season, while Barlow picked up her second assist of the contest on the play.

The lead would swell to 3-0 at the 45:31 mark of the second half when McCullough picked up her first assist, getting to a loose ball in a scramble off a penalty corner and slotting a pass to her right to sophomore forward Felicia Costanzo (Lakeland, N.Y.), who one-timed a shot from close range past Bryant goalie Marissa Elizardo. The Bobcats would tack on another goal with just 2:02 to play as McCullough set up a penalty corner for junior midfielder Angie King (South Windsor, Conn.), who one-timed her shot into the right side of the cage to make the final score 4-0.

The only late drama was to see if Bryant could spoil the shutout, as the Bulldogs earned a penalty corner just before time expired. Conaboy, though, closed down the angle and blocked the shot to preserve the 4-0 final.

Conaboy finished with eight saves on the day to get the shutout, as shots ended up 11-11 overall, while the Bobcats had an 8-3 edge in penalty corners. Elizardo finished with four saves for Bryant in the loss.

Quinnipiac returns to action on Sunday when it hosts Providence for a non-conference contest at 1 p.m.