September 26, 2010

Photos and Postgame Interviews

HAMDEN, Conn. - The Quinnipiac University women's soccer team beat Central Connecticut State University, 4-2, in their first Northeast Conference match of the season at the Quinnipiac Soccer Field. Quinnipiac goals were scored by four different players, improving its record to 3-4-0 overall and 1-0-0 in the conference. Central's record drops to 5-5-0 overall and 0-1-0 in the NEC. The last time Quinnipiac had four different players score in a game came in a 4-2 win against Wagner on Oct. 18, 2009.

"It feels ecstatic, tremendous in terms of the fact that we were 2-1 down and responded and came back and scored another three goals to win, 4-2," said Head Coach Dave Clarke. "

The first goal of the game was scored by junior forward Furtuna Velaj (Stamford, Conn.) off of a pass from sophomore Aine McKeever (Derry City Ireland) in the sixth minute of play. The goal was Velaj's fifth of the season.

Within only a few minutes, senior Beth Lloyd scored Central Connecticut's first goal of the game with a shot in the lower right corner. Lloyd also scored Central's second goal in the 19^th minute of play from a pass by fellow teammate Abby Graham.

Quinnipiac freshman Beck Kiting (Canberra, Australia) scored her first career goal in the 43^rd minute of play, to tie the Blue Devils. The goal was assisted by senior Meagan McLoughlin (Rocky Hill, Conn.).

Tied 2-2 at halftime, sophomore Jillian Strassner (Avon, Conn.) scored her second goal of the season to bring the Bobcats in front of the Blue Devils in the 52^nd minute of play. Sophomore Kemesha Woodfine (Stamford, Conn.) passed the ball from the right side of the field into the box, where Strassner scored off her first touch in the corner of the goal. Quinnipiac scored its fourth goal in the 53^rd minute from a shot taken by senior Meagan McLoughlin. McLoughlin scored in the top center of the net from an assist by sophomore Jillian Strassner. The goal was McLoughlin's first of the season.

Junior goalkeeper Jillian Kelley (Simsbury, Conn.) made six saves in the game for Quinnipiac while Central goalie Nikola Deiter made four saves total.

"We came from behind, we scored different types of goals, we had different scorers and we had a different level of performance, so there's quite a few things we can build on and take into the weekend," said Clarke. "But this game and the other two wins are behind us, so we now have to focus on Wagner and we'll only have one day to prepare for LIU."

The Bobcats are on the road next weekend, where they will travel to face two conference opponents. Quinnipiac plays Wagner on Friday, Oct. 1 at the Wagner College Stadium in Staten Island, N.Y at 3:30 p.m. It then travels to face Long Island University on Sunday, Oct. 3 at the LIU Field in Brooklyn, N.Y at 12 p.m.