Bobcats Take Down Providence in Season Opener, 2-1

Friday, March 5

Hamden, Conn.

2:00 PM

Quinnipiac University

(1-0)

Providence

(0-2)

Providence

Quinnipiac

Photo by: Rob Rasmussen / P8Photos.com

3/5/2021 7:51:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

Howard Leads Field Hockey with Goal and Assist, Cappello Scores Game-Winner

By: QU Athletic Communications

HAMDEN, Conn. – After nearly 500 days between games, the Quinnipiac field hockey team came out on top Friday afternoon as the Bobcats defeated the Providence Friars, 2-1, on Julianna Cappello's (Mohegan Lake, New York) game-winning goal with 5:21 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Olivia Howard (Clifton Park, New York) had a goal and an assist to lead the Bobcats on the field, scoring the first goal of the season and assisting Cappello's fourth quarter game-winning goal.

The Bobcats and Friars battled to a scoreless first quarter before Howard scored off an insert from Jess Halley (Glasgow, Scotland) on a penalty corner for the first goal of the 2020-21 season.

Quinnipiac took a 1-0 lead into half time and the third quarter before Providence tied the game with 11:59 left in the fourth quarter as Niamh Gowing tipped a shot from Maddie Babineau.

Despite giving up the tying goal in the fourth, the Bobcats bounced right back and answered the call six-and-a-half minutes later as Howard had a shot saved that Cappello was right on the doorstep to swipe home over the line.

Nina Santore (Berlin, New Jersey) made the start in her collegiate debut and picked up the win after making a pair of saves.

SCORE
Quinnipiac 2, Providence 1

LOCATION
Quinnipiac Field Hockey Stadium | Hamden, Conn.

RECORDS
Quinnipiac (1-0, 1-0 BIG EAST) | Providence (0-2, 0-2 BIG EAST)

SCORING SUMMARY

18:32 (Quinnipiac 1, Providence 0): Halley inserted a penalty corner from the left side and hit Howard with a short pass. Howard dribbled a few steps into the circle before sending one off the backboard for the Bobcats' first goal of the season.
48:01 (Quinnipiac 1, Providence 1): The Friars tied the game early in the fourth quarter off a broken penalty corner. Maddie Babineau dribbled to her right and fired a shot on goal that was tipped by Niamh Gowing for the equalizer.
54:39 (Quinnipiac 2, Providence 1): Quinnipiac answered back just over six-and-a-half minutes later as Howard collected the ball and dribbled into the right side of the circle before a shot was saved and Cappello put home the rebound on the back door.

NOTES

Howard recorded her first career three-point game with a goal and an assist
Howard previously scored for the Bobcats in her collegiate debut at California on August 30, 2019, giving her goals in back-to-back season openers.
Cappello picked up her sophomore campaign where she left off as a first year, tallying a goal for her first of the year and seventh of her young career.
Halley assisted Howard's goal for her fifth career assist
Santore made two saves in her collegiate debut, earning her first career win.
The Bobcats earned their first win over Providence in program history, and now five of their seven all-time meetings have been decided by a goal.
Quinnipiac's win was its first in a season-opener since August 24, 2012, when the Bobcats downed the Holy Cross Crusaders in Worcester, 1-0.

UP NEXT

Quinnipiac field hockey hits the road next weekend where they'll face the Villanova Wildcats in back-to-back games in Villanova, Pa., with puck drop set for 12 p.m. each day on Saturday, March 13 and Sunday, March 14.
For more information on Quinnipiac field hockey, visit gobobcats.com/fh and follow the team on Twitter and Instagram, @QU_FH.