NORFOLK, Va. - ODU Field Hockey defeated conference foe Quinnipiac 2-0 Friday afternoon to advance to a 2-0 record in The BIG EAST Conference.
“I want to credit our players for their hard work today. Each of them trained hard this week, and today they were ready to go and they earned the win. I’m very happy with the team. Said Head Coach Andrew Griffiths.
Quinnipiac has good players, and we played a disciplined game and we did not allow a single shot in open play, only on corners. It’s fantastic to get a conference win and a shutout, and to win at home”.
The Monarchs (4-4) were first on the board with a goal from Josie Painter who connected with Sian Emslie in the first five minutes of the game. The goal came after a series of shots on goal from Emslie and Painter which Quinnipiac’s (5-3) goalkeeper Cristina Torres was able to save, sending the game into the second quarter.
The second quarter was scoreless from both sides of the pitch, but held the first penalty corner of the game from ODU’s Madison Zalewski which was unsuccessful. Serena Langendoen attempted a couple of shots from inside the semi circle which were denied by Torres. This was followed by the Bobcats first shot of the game by Lucia Donati, which was quickly saved by Broers to send the match into halftime with the Monarchs up 1-0.
After the break, a penalty corner by Bobcat Cameron Brower connected with Francisca Eschoyez but the shot was quickly stopped by Broers. ODU’s Katie Bates attempted to add another for the Monarchs, which was saved by Torres. Fouls caused two back-to-back penalty corners for the Bobcats by Brower, both were unsuccessful, and a wide shot by Eschoyez sent the game into the final quarter.
ODU’s Avery Jackson began the fourth quarter with a goal assisted by Cosima Perleth to put another on the board for the Monarchs in the first minutes of the final quarter. A green card for Quinnipiac’s Eschoyez followed the goal along with two penalty corners for the Bobcats which were both denied by the Monarchs’ defense. After sitting out, Eschoyez attempted to put one on the board with two shots, but was blocked by the Monarch’s defense and Broers. A foul on the Bobcats sanctioned a penalty stroke for ODU’s Langendoen which was sent wide to end the conference match 2-0.
“We moved the ball well and attacked with speed, getting into the circle fast. In the first quarter we created some great counter chances, and Josie scored one and hit the post once as well. We created some attack through the game but couldn’t get the final piece right to add another goal, until the 4th quarter. Avery scored a lovely goal on a clean cross from Cosi, and that put the game away for us.
We are excited for another challenge on Sunday against Michigan!” Added Griffiths
The Monarchs recorded 10 shots, seven on goal, and one corner. The Bobcats recorded five shots, two on goal, and five quarters on the night. ODU goalkeeper Broers recorded two saves while Quinnipiac’s Torres recorded five for the match.
UP NEXT:
The Monarchs continue play at home vs #12 Michigan on Sunday at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex. The game is scheduled for a noon start.