Freshmen lead Bobcats in first tournament

Freshmen lead Bobcats in first tournament

By Brian Farrell, QBSN Staff Writer

On Monday, the Bobcats wrapped up day two of their first invitational of the season. Quinnipiac finished 14^th on the weekend as it held their its from day one. Once again, Quinnipiac was lead by freshmen Krissy Unger (New York, N.Y.) and Jenn Whaley (Farmington, Conn.). Unger finished the day with an 81 (+9), while Whaley finished at an 83 (+11).

Unger finished the weekend in 33^rd place with Whaley just two spots back in 35^th place. The two freshmen now hold the program record for best two-day event score. Unger shot a weekend total 163 (82-81, +19), while Whaley shot a 164 (81-83, +20).

Before the weekend, Unger preached that a positive attitude is key to the team’s success.

“One of the things that this team has taught me is to just stay positive. Focus on the next shot, focus on the next thing you have to do, and make sure to not put too much pressure on yourself.”

That positive attitude must have helped as she shaved off a pair of strokes from her day one performance.

"Our freshmen played very well today," head coach John O'Connor said. "I think that they had some shots that they'd like to get back, but I chalk that up to nerves. Once they settle down, I'm confident they'll be in the mid-70's on a consistent basis." 

Veteran Kayla Ketcheson (St. Andrew’s, Manitoba), who once held the record for a two-day tournament score, turned in a night and day performance after shooting a 94 (+22) on day one. But today, she returned to shoot an 83 (+11).

Returners Hannah Russell (Monson, Mass.) and Jennifer Forlenza (Wayne, N.J.) lost a bit on their game as both shot slightly worse. Russell gained five strokes after shooting a 94 (+22) and Forlenza added one stroke from her day one performance as she shot a 91 (+19).

According to the Quinnipiac Athletics website, O’Connor plans to bring two new golfers to next week’s tournament, sophomore transfer Angelica Muscatelli (North Providence, R.I.) and freshman Alexa Gentile (Avon, Conn.).

Quinnipiac will be back on the course this weekend when they travel to Hanover, N.H. for the Dartmouth Invitational.

Day one of Tignanelli Towson Invitational

Day one of Tignanelli Towson Invitational

By Brian Farrell, QBSN Staff Writer

After day one, the Quinnipiac women’s golf team is tied with Mount St. Mary’s for 14^th place. The Bobcats were led by freshmen Krissy Unger (New York, N.Y.) and Jenn Whaley (Farmington, Conn.). Whaley’s 81 (+9) marked the best score for QU, with Unger’s 82 (+10) as the next best.

Kayla Ketcheson (St. Andrew’s, Manitoba) struggled shooting a team worst 94 (+22). Ketcheson led the Bobcats all of last season setting a number of school records along the way. Despite her play last year, Ketcheson said she felt that she underperformed and that one of her goals for 2012-13 was to get back to the game she played her sophomore season. Luckily for Ketcheson, the tournament will continue tomorrow.

Hannah Russell (Monson, Mass.) provided the Bobcats with the team’s sole birdie after she shot a four on the seventh hole. Russell’s 89 (+17) was good enough to land her as QU’s third golfer.

Walk on Jennifer Forlenza (Wayne, N.J.) shot a 90 (+18) on the afternoon. Forlenza’s play in the preseason garnered praise from head coach John O’Connor on Friday.

“Jennifer Forlenza worked on her game all summer long. Her game is longer, more accurate, and she has a lot more confidence in her game. For a walk on to compete against girls that were recruited is pretty impressive.”

The Bobcats will continue play tomorrow for the second and final round. 

Shannon Larkin nets first career goal to defeat Hartford

Shannon Larkin nets first career goal to defeat Hartford

By: Taylor Massey, QBSN Staff Writer

Returning to its home field after two road games the Quinnipiac women’s soccer team defeated intrastate rival, the Hartford Hawks, 1-0. The Bobcats advance to 4-0-1 on the season and continue their unbeaten streak.

The first and only goal of the game came just 10 minutes into the first half. Amanda Barroca (Bellmore, N.Y.) hustled down the line to work a cross over to freshman Shannon Larkin (Burlington, Conn.) in front of the net. Larkin was easily able to kick the ball over Hawk goalkeeper Erin Quinlin and into the back of the net. Barroca tallied her first career assist with the goal.

“Amanda is such a great player and she dribbles past people all the time,” said Larkin. “I knew that I needed to get up there because I knew that a perfect cross was going to be coming.”

For the remainder of the game the Bobcats defense was impenetrable. This enabled the offense to spend plenty of time handling the ball. However, they were unable to capitalize on another goal to extend their lead.

 “We had to dig deep,” said head coach Dave Clarke. “Fitness was a factor, mentality was a factor ,and they’re the games we would have lost last year and that’s a big step for a young team.”

Quinnipiac’s only other scoring opportunity also came from one of the younger players on the team. Barroca dodged several Hartford players on her way to the net. After blowing through the Hawk defense Barroca’s shot was saved by Quinlin. The goal would have been the freshman’s first as a Bobcat.

Bobcat goalie Jill Kelley (Simsbury, Conn.) stood guard between the posts for her third shut out of the season. Kelley was only challenged once by Hartford and made the save to keep the Bobcats in the lead.  

The Bobcats ended with a 3-2 advantage on shots over the Hawks. Quinlin made three saves to hold Quinnipiac to one goal.

Luckily for the six new freshmen, they have a talented group of upperclassmen to push them to do their best.

 “Especially in the system we’re playing in now it requires a lot of hard work and you can get tired pretty quick, but you have your teammates there pushing for you and it helps,” said Larkin.

Hoping to continue its win streak, Quinnipiac’s next game will take place this Wednesday Sept. 14 on its home field at 4 p.m. The Bobcats will take on the Harvard Crimson who are 2-1-1 overall.  

Women's golf prepares for first tournament of season

Women’s golf prepares for first tournament of season

By Brian Farrell, QBSN Staff Writer

Quinnipiac women’s golf is preparing to enter into a new age. After a pair of seasons where the Bobcats struggled to put together a competitive squad of experienced golfers, reigning NEC coach of the year, John O’Connor has the team he has been looking for.

The team will be lead by senior Kayla Ketcheson (St. Andrews, Manitoba) and two newcomers, Jenn Whaley (Farmington, Conn.) and Krissy Unger (New York, N.Y.). The two freshmen come to Quinnipiac with plenty of experience. Last year, Unger was the MET PGA Player of the Year. Whaley comes from a family rich with golf tradition. Her mother is a member of the LPGA, while her father is a member of the PGA.

While Kayla led the team last year, O’Connor expects her play to rise to a new level.

“She never had the competition on the team that she has this year. She is working hard on her game, she’s far more focused than she was last year, and she is excited to be a part of a good team.”

Last year was learning experience for Ketcheson, but more off the course.

“Last year’s team got me to really enjoy golf. Everyone was so supportive and as a leader I want that to carry over to this year.”

 Last year, success for the Bobcats was measured by positive attitudes and a desire to improve. This year things are different.

“We want to move way up in the rankings,” O’Connor said. “In the conference I’d like to see us in the top three.”

Yet, this new desire for winning has not replaced what makes this team so unique.

When asked why Whaley and Unger decided to come to Quinnipiac, both immediately pointed to QU’s team chemistry.

“Coach is so enthusiastic and before I came to school I met the girls once and they had so much fun comradery,” Unger said.

Tomorrow the Bobcats will travel to Towson for their first tournament of the fall season and there is one thing that sophomore Hannah Russell (Monson, Mass.) wants everyone to know.

“This year’s going to be a whole lot different.”

Stayed tuned for up to date results of the two day tournament on theqbsn.com.

Athlete of the Week: Philip Suprise

Athlete of the Week: Philip Suprise

By Angelique Fiske, QBSN Publishing Editor

The first-ever contest between the Quinnipiac men’s soccer team and the Lafayette Leopards will be one that senior captain Philip Suprise (Milwaukee, Wisc.) won’t soon forget.  Suprise had his way with the Leopards, earning a hat trick, the only goals scored for the Bobcats in the 3-1 victory, as well as the first three goals of his senior campaign.   His dominating performance earned him the title of NEC Co-Player of the Week.  

The hat trick, the first of the season by any NEC player, marks the second time Suprise left the crowd stunned by a scoring trifecta.  Suprise made the Bryant Bulldogs pay the price in his freshman year, sealing the 3-0 victory for the Bobcats.

Suprise’s three-goal game pushed his career total to 20, good for a shared spot at 10^th all-time.  Tack on the assist earned on Will Daniels’s (Clackamas, Ore.) second goal of the year in the team’s 2-1 win over Holy Cross and Suprise sits at 13^th for all-time points. 

While it took three games into the season for the all-star forward to open the floodgates, the Bobcats will need their captain’s momentum to continue as they hit the road to face a tough Loyola team on Saturday, Sep. 8 at 7 p.m.