Quinnipiac Prevails Over Siena in Overtime

September 20, 2017

The MAAC’s leading scorer Nadya Gill scored the golden goal with 3:16 remaining in the first overtime as Quinnipiac rallied past Siena Women’s Soccer 2-1 in Hamden, Connecticut. Junior striker Gabby Albano scored for the Saints which suffered their third straight defeat.

In the 96^th minute Jess Gargan fed Gill who drove in down the right side and fired across inside the far left post for the game-winner. Gill, who also assisted on the first Quinnipiac (5-4, 2-0) goal to finish with three points, entered the day ranked third nationally in scoring, and has now totaled 25 points over her first nine matches this season.

The rematch of last season’s MAAC Semifinals contest won by Quinnipiac was tightly contested throughout as the match lived up to its billing. The Bobcats held the slightest edge in shots at 11-10, while both teams attempted five corners apiece.

Albano opened the scoring with her third goal of the season to put Siena (4-5, 0-2) in front in the 22^nd minute. Senior captain Michele Tremblay played a ball wide right to junior back Amanda Holtzman who took two dribbles across midfield and sent in a long cross which Albano won from her defender and knocked in. The assist from Tremblay marked the 14^th of her career to move her into a four-way tie for ninth in program history.

Meanwhile the Saints’ defense held the potent Quinnipiac offense quiet in the first half to carry their 1-0 lead into the break. The Bobcats, who had entered play tied for eighth nationally in scoring at 2.88 goals per contest, were limited to just a pair of errant shots over the opening 45 minutes.

But Quinnipiac wasted no time in responding to open the second half. Just 65 seconds into the stanza, Gargan set up Laura Nicholas for the tying tally which would eventually push the match to overtime.

Sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Dorado made two saves for Siena, while Olivia Myszewksi stopped four shots for the Bobcats.

The Saints will look to bounce back Saturday when they head to Manhattan for a noon kickoff.