Bobcat Claws are out

Quinnipiac Women’s Lax over CCSU 9-6
John Chagaris
March 23, 2007

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. - The dates have changed, the venue has changed, the opponent has changed, and so has the play of the Quinnipiac Women’s Lacrosse team, as the Quinnipiac Bobcats traveled to face the Blue Devils of Central Conn. State University. Just 5 days removed from losing 16-3 against Harvard the Bobcats had a chip on their shoulder and it all began with the outstanding goalkeeping of Hannah Nelson and the Quinnipiac defense. After Sunday’s loss against Harvard Head Coach Danie Caro said “We just didn’t come to play today. We’re going to need to figure out what improvements need to be made before Friday’s game.” Those improvements came from the defense.

The heart and soul of a team comes from the goalie, Caro needed Freshman Redshirt Hannah Nelson to step up and put the Harvard game behind her, and she did just that., making six saves and only allowing one goal in the second half.

“Hannah Nelson came up big for us with some key saves in the second half,” said head coach Danie Caro.

Quinnipiac entered the second half down 5-3 and credit can be given to assistant coach Christy Smallman who fired up the team during halftime.

“Issues of coming out slow in the first half were not issued that had to deal with skill at all,” said Coach Smallman, “They had to do with getting fired up, playing with heart and giving 110 percent. We really needed to light the fire in the second half.”

The Bobcats responded, Tiffany Mansi scored just over two minutes into the half and Nicole Fiore tied the game on her tenth goal of the season with 20:28 to go in the game, the goal was assisted by birthday girl Katie Latonick who scored her first goal of the season to round up the 4-0 run giving Quinnipiac a 7-5 lead, a lead they would not give up.

Tiffany Mansi had four points and Nicole Fiore netted a hat trick as the Women collect their first NEC win of the season. The Bobcats will look to start their NEC Season 2-0 as they take on LIU Sunday at noon at home.