Ogunjobi Hat Trick Carries Men’s Soccer Over Hartford, 4-3

September 14, 2011

HAMDEN, Conn. – Quinnipiac men’s soccer freshman forward Ola Ogunjobi (London, England) buried his third goal of the contest with just over a minute remaining in regulation, to give the Bobcats a 4-3 edge over Hartford on Wednesday afternoon in Hamden, Conn. Ogunjobi’s three second-half goals guided Quinnipiac (1-3) to its first win of the season, while Hartford (1-5) loses its fifth-consecutive game of the season.

Ogunjobi led Quinnipiac’s comeback with the game’s final two goals, including his second score, a game-tying tally in the 61^st minute, followed by the game-winner at the 88:57 mark. On his third score, the freshman found himself with the ball and ample space in front, took a look at the net, and booted a shot from the right-hand corner of the penalty box. Hartford goalkeeper Luke Cintriniti was unable to keep the bending ball out of the net, as the ball struck the side netting. With the three second-half goals, Obunjobi becomes the first Quinnipiac player to record a hat trick since Philip Suprise’s (Milwaukee, Wisc.) three-goal game on October 9, 2009.

Quinnipiac was the only team to find the back of the net in the first-half, as a high cross from junior William Daniels (Clackamas, Ore.) grazed the head of a Hartford defender and slipped by Cintriniti, giving the Bobcats the 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

Ogunjobi netted his first goal of the game just over two minutes into the second half off a corner kick from sophomore Tim Quigley (Ridgefield, Conn.). The low line drive skimmed off junior Philip Suprise’s leg and fell to Ogunjobi’s feet, where the freshman tapped the ball over the goal line.

Hartford quickly erased its 2-0 deficit, scoring two goals within 26 second of each other, bringing the score to two apiece with just under 40 minutes to play. James Stampopoulus and Atobra Ampadu each scored on the respective plays.

The Hawks proceeded to take a surprising 3-2 lead in the 61^st minute on a deflected shot off the laces of Rohan Roye. The Bobcats responded with the equalizer on Ogunjobi’s goal just under a minute later on a half volley strike just inside the top of the penalty box by the freshman. Following a frantic back-and-forth battle during the final minutes, Ogunjobi sealed the victory for Quinnipiac with his third goal.

Quinnipiac freshman goalkeeper Borja Angoitia (Bilbao, Spain) turned away three shots in victory, while his counterpart Cintriniti made four saves for the Hawks.

The Bobcats were outshot, 15 to 11, but held the advantage in corner kicks (6 to 2) for the first time all season.

Quinnipiac returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 24 when it hosts Loyola (Md.) at 2 p.m. at Quinnipiac Soccer Field.