Bobcats Lose to Lehigh in Physical, Controversial Contest

Bobcats Lose to Lehigh in Physical, Controversial Contest
By Jon Alba, QBSN Staff Writer

      After a frustrating performance against Lehigh on Friday evening, the Quinnipiac Bobcats women's soccer team dropped their fourth match of the season, losing 4-2. The loss adds to a rough start for the Bobcats (0-4-1), as they begin to head into the main stretch of their season.
       
      The Mountain Hawks (2-2-1) aggressively attacked the Quinnipiac zone from the start, jumping off to a 2-0 lead after nearly-consecutive goals from midfielder Geena Pepe (19") and forward Murphee Greeley (20"). Greeley would later add another goal in the 51st-minute as well.
       
      Quinnipiac mustered a well-orchestrated score off the foot of junior Shauna Edwards (20"), but after falling behind another two points, only managed a late goal from senior Furtuna Velaj (85").     
        
      The 19 shots on goal by the Bobcats was their largest total on the season, but was matched but a forceful Lehigh showing. Tempers brewed over the course of the contest, as players came to blows with one another in both verbal and even minor physical confrontations.
       
      While the referees did call 19 fouls on the Mountain Hawks, as opposed to seven for Quinnipiac, Bobcats head coach Dave Clarke expressed his unhappiness with the officiating.
        
     "Some of those bizarre referee decisions…they offer no protection to the players," said a visibly upset Clarke. "You bring a talented player like [Velaj] into Quinnipiac, and you offer her no protection."
        
     Clarke's comments came after Velaj was nearly forced out of the game after an aggressive slide-tackle in the first half almost injured the midfielder.
        
     Even after being rattled by the two quick goals early on, Quinnipiac goalkeeper Jill Kelley settled down to close the half. However, the Lehigh offense proved too powerful, as they tired down the Bobcats' defense and forced two more past her. In total, Kelley finished the night with eight saves.
       
     "You can't put all the blame on our goalie, as her defensive mates did do the job," added Clarke.
        
     Quinnipiac will have to be ready to move on quickly, as it faces Holy Cross Sunday at home at 1:00 p.m. Even with the controversial officiating clouding Friday's loss, the coach was clear in his message moving forward.
       
     "Bottom line is, you can't blame the referees for everything. We need to improve the defensive effort, and we have to put away our shots next time."