By D.F. Pendrys

HAMDEN, CT – The Quinnipiac Bobcats Women’s Soccer team emerged victorious from their quarterfinal match up thanks to a second half goal and dominant play in that frame, but they had to get there to do it.

The first half was a more even contest. Each side had their chances though Marist seemed to get a few more shots on net while QU was launching shots wide. Quinnipiac though was generating a ton of corner kicks, but Marist was keeping them from converting. Marist avoided early trouble in the first when the a Bobcat sent a penalty shot wide as well. It certainly looked like in the first half it could be anyone’s game as there was a back and forth flow.

In the second half though Quinnipiac asserted themselves more strongly and Marist did not have the chances they had in the first. Most of the game was spent in the Marist end of the field with the Bobcats launching more shots in and on target. Their trend of gaining corner kicks also continued, though they were still unable to convert any for points. What finally did break the deadlock was a free kick at 66:40. Selena Salas launched a ball from deep outside the zone, but Gretchen Kron inside the box then headed it sending it in a different direction past the goalkeeper for the eventual game winner.

The Bobcats would keep up the pressure looking for an insurance goal and mainly keeping Marist from equalizing. The visitor’s did manage an attempt on net late, but it was dealt with, and when the whistle blew, Quinnipiac won and advances on to the semi-finals.

On the day QU had 19 shots and 8 on net. Marist had 7 and 4 on net. Emily Loney and Rebecca Cooke had 2 shots on goal for QU, Kayla Mingachos, Salas, Kron (naturally), and Lauren Wendland had the other shots on net. For Marist, Victoria Colatosti had 2 on net, and Amanda Caldarelli and Christina Layden had 1 SOG apiece.

Natalie Kelchner made 7 saves for Marist and QU’s Sofia Lospinoso got the clean sheet with 4 saves.