QU Women’s Soccer Falls to Defending MAAC Champs Rider, 2-0

Saturday, September 19

Hamden, Conn.

1 pm

Quinnipiac University

4-3-0, 0-1-0MAAC

Rider

4-3-0, 1-0-0MAAC

Rider

Quinnipiac

QU Women’s Soccer Falls to Defending MAAC Champs Rider, 2-0

9/19/2015 4:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: QU Sports Information

HAMDEN, Connecticut – The Quinnipiac University women's soccer team suffered a 2-0 defeat in the MAAC opener at the hands of the reigning conference champions Rider, from the QU Soccer Field on Saturday afternoon. Despite outshooting the Broncs and holding a massive advantage in corner kicks, Rider didn't waste their opportunities as two goals was enough to power the road side past this young Quinnipiac squad.

Playing in front of 800+ in Hamden on Saturday, the Bobcats fed off the home crowd throughout and pushed the pace with 16 shots (10 on-goal) compared to just nine shots for the visiting Broncs. A golden opportunity came in the early stages when Jess Gargan (Dublin, Ireland) pushed the ball up the far side wing. After shaking free of a defender, the freshman fired a shot low and to the right to was initially saved but the rebound kicked out to Nadya Gill (Toronto, Ontario) in the middle of the box. Gargan's classmate touched to her right foot and fired a shot but Rider's keeper Bethany-May Howard managed to recover in time to make a diving save on what was an open net.

Failing to score first proved costly for the Bobcats despite holding the edge in time of possession throughout. After a turnover in their own defensive end, Quinnipiac scrambled to get back defensively but Rider's Alanna McDougall kicked a perfect pass out wide to Caroline Healy who made no mistake with a low and hard shot to the near post.

A depleted Rider squad, playing without 2014 MAAC Offensive Player of the Year, played inspired throughout the middle stages of the game, breaking through for another goal less than 10 minutes into the second half. This time it was Sam Picinich who deposited the goal with an assist from Kourtney Cunningham. Picinich's goal marks the ninth different goal scorer for the 2015 season for Rider.

Quinnipiac had several opportunities throughout the entire second stanza, with the greatest falling to Gill who broke loose on a through ball. The freshman darted in-between the Rider defensive pairing and took a touch before firing a rocket shot but directly at the Broncs' keeper Howard who made one of her 10 saves on the afternoon.

Amanda Barroca (Bellmore, New York) had another strong rush later in the second half as she picked up the ball at midfield and took on Rider's defense with three Bobcats streaking up the field to her left. Once inside the box, Barroca set up a right-footed swig that hit the inside of the post and caromed out wide.

Natalia Grodzki (Bartlett, Illinois) took the loss in net, making five saves throughout the 90-minute match.

The third all-time meeting between the two teams, Rider has taken the last two and now moves to 2-1 in the series history.

Quinnipiac returns to action next weekend when the Bobcats travel to Saint Peter's for a 1:00 PM start on Saturday, Sept. 26.