October 22, 2009

Quinnipiac University Bobcats (7-1-5, 4-0-1 NEC) vs.
Long Island University Blackbirds (5-8, 2-3 NEC)
Friday, October 23, 2009 - 3 p.m.
Quinnipiac Soccer Field - Hamden, Conn.

Friday's Game
The Quinnipiac University men's soccer team plays host to Long Island Friday at 3 p.m., at the Quinnipiac Soccer Field. The Bobcats welcome the Blackbirds to Hamden for the first game of their last home weekend of 2009. Quinnipiac is tied for the top spot in the Northeast Conference standings with No. 7 Monmouth with 13 points. The Bobcats have earned those points with a 4-0-1 mark in league play, while 7-1-5 overall. Long Island is 2-3 in NEC play and 5-8 overall this season.

Scouting the Blackbirds
Long Island is currently on a three-game losing streak. After consecutive 3-2 overtime wins against Bryant and at Mount St. Mary's, the Blackbirds have fallen to Monmouth, Robert Morris and Saint Francis (Pa.) in their last three. This season, Long Island is led by Steve Jakubowski's 15 points on six goals and three assists. Jakubowski is the second-leading scorer in the NEC and is also tied for second in the conference in goals. Jakeem Johnson has also broken the 10-point mark this season for the Blackbirds, posting 13 on six goals and one assist. Adam Janssen has played in goal in 10 of the team's 12 games this season, posting a goals-against average of 1.64 and a save percentage of .754 in earning four victories.

Media
Friday's game can be heard live on the WQAQ webstream. Corey Hersch will provide play-by-play, while Kyle Brennan will add color commentary. Fans can also follow the action using live stats. Both can be accessed by clicking the appropriate links above.

He's a 'Hall' of a Player
Senior goalkeeper Freddy Hall (St. George, Bermuda) recorded his seventh shutout of the season in Sunday's 1-0 win at Sacred Heart. The tri-captain leads the nation in save percentage (.934) after turning aside seven shots in the win. His seven shutouts match his entire total from the 2008 season.

Trio of Goals
Junior defender Pierre Soubrier (Aurignac, France) scored his third goal of the season and his career on Sunday at Sacred Heart. Soubrier's penalty-kick goal in the 75th minute proved to be the game winner as the Bobcats held on for the 1-0 victory. Two of his three goals this season have come via the penalty kick.

Honored Again
Freshman forward Philip Suprise (Milwaukee, Wis.) was honored as the adidas/NEC Rookie of the Week for the second consecutive week the league office announced Monday. Suprise received the award on the strength of his game-winning goal at Fairleigh Dickinson on Oct. 30. The first-year Bobcat booted a ball into the far upper corner of the net from 40 yards away with 28 seconds remaining in the game to lift his team to a victory.

So Close To the Top
The Bobcats climbed into a tie for second in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Regional Rankings this week. Quinnipiac and Iona are tied for second place in the North Atlantic Region, trailing only Monmouth. The Bobcats jumped up three spots after being ranked fifth the previous week.

What's Been the Case?
The Bobcats defeated the Blackbirds, 3-0, last season in Brooklyn. The win was the first in seven seasons for Quinnipiac who had dropped four games and tied three others since last defeating Long Island in the 2000 season. The Blackbirds lead the all-time series, 5-2-3.