Quinnipiac University
Rider
Quinnipiac Returns Home to Take On Rider, Fairfield
4/7/2026 7:06:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
HAMDEN, Conn. — The Quinnipiac women's lacrosse program heads back to home turf for two more home games this week, taking on Rider on Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. before a Saturday morning matchup with in-state foe Fairfield at 11 a.m. in Hamden.
The Bobcats entered the week a game out of the postseason with three games to play as Quinnipiac looks to make it back to back berths to the MAAC playoffs.
WEDNESDAY'S MATCHUP
Teams: Quinnipiac (7-6, 2-3 MAAC) vs. Rider (1-13, 0-5 MAAC)
Watch Live: GoBobcats.com
Live Stats: SidearmStats
SATURDAY'S MATCHUP
Teams: Quinnipiac (7-5, 2-2 MAAC) vs. Fairfield (10-3, 5-0 MAAC)
Watch Live: GoBobcats.com
Live Stats: SidearmStats
THE MATCHUP VS. RIDER
In a pair of games between the two teams, the home team has taken each in the series between the Bobcats and the Broncs. Rider won the 2025 matchup, scoring six of the last nine goals of the contest to turn a 10-10 tie into a 16-13 Rider victory. Quinnipiac won the inaugural matchup in Hamden, defeating Rider 18-13 in 2024.
THE MATCHUP VS. FAIRFIELD
Quinnipiac flew out of the gates last season at Fairfield, jumping out to a 6-2 halftime lead but the Stags were able to come back and knock off the visiting Bobcats 9-8 at Fairfield. The Bobcats have yet to beat the Stags in the series between the two schools.
SENT OFF THE SENIORS RIGHT
Quinnipiac defeated Manhattan on Senior Saturday, knocking off the Manhattan Jaspers by a 17-9 final. Emma Miller-Ayala led the way offensively with five goals, while Mia Delmond and Julia Givens added four apiece. Quinnipiac rallied from a 7-4 deficit in the second quarter, scoring 13 of the game's last 15 goals to run away with the contest.
TWO FOR NUMBER TWO
First-year attacker Brie Provenzano earned her second MAAC Rookie of the Week honors after a seven-point week against Gardner-Webb and Furman in two wins. She has 16 points in her last four outings, helping aid the Bobcats to a 3-1 record in that span. Her 1.50 assists per game are currently leading the MAAC and eighth in the country amongst first-year players.
BALANCED ATTACK
The Bobcats used 11 different goalscorers in its win over CCSU. A tight game to start, the Bobcats rattled off a 12-0 run to make a 4-3 close contest into a controlled 16-3 scoreline late in the game. Cate Bendowski led the way for all Quinnipiac players, scoring four goals.
ON THE BOARD
The Bobcats earned their first win of the 2026 campaign on Sunday afternoon, knocking off New Hampshire by a 12-7 final in Durham, N.H.
Emma Miller-Ayala was all over the stat sheet, finishing with four points, four ground balls and five draw controls to aid the Bobcat cause. Giordan Peck and Mia Delmond each had a pair of goals, while Cate Bendowski had a three-point day.
GIVEN TAKE
Sophomore Anna Givens got off to a strong start in her second season in Hamden, posting a career-best four points in the matchup against Hofstra. She tossed in a goal and three assists, including a helper to her older sister Julia Givens in the first half.
RETURNING PROWESS
The 2026 roster is highlighted by the return of the 2025 MAAC Goalie and Rookie of the Year in Shannon Alden, along with All-Rookie selections Emma Miller-Ayala and Anna Givens returning to the roster.
The Bobcats also bring back an experienced offensive core, returning six of their top eight scorers from a season ago led by seniors Mia Delmond (59 points), who was a preseason All-MAAC selection, and Cate Bendowski (49 points) and the aforementioned Givens (28 points) and Miller-Ayala (15 points).
THE ROAD AHEAD
The 2026 slate includes a some perennial NCAA Tournament contenders, including Hofstra and Yale to open up the season. They will be two of the eight non-conference games the Bobcats have on their slate before league play begins on March 22. They welcome Niagara and Fairfield to Hamden for the first time since the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, respectively, as well has close out the league slate with Sacred Heart on April 18.
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For an inside look at the Quinnipiac women's lacrosse program, be sure to follow it on social media @QU_WLAX or go to gobobcats.com/wlax.
