Quinnipiac and Rider to Meet in 2016 MAAC Men's Soccer Championship Game
MAAC Sports
HAMDEN, CT – No. 1 Quinnipiac University will meet No. 2 Rider University in the 2016 MAAC Men’s Soccer Championship Game on Sunday, November 13 at 1:00 p.m. at QU Soccer Field on the campus of Quinnipiac University. The game will air live on MAAC.TV.
The 2016 MAAC Regular Season Champions, number one seed Quinnipiac University (8-2) advanced to the Championship Game after a 3-1 defeat of number five seed Canisius College (4-3-3) in the semifinals. The Bobcats were led by sophomore forward Rashawn Dally, who scored Quinnipiac’s third and final goal and recorded an assist in the semifinal victory.
The Bobcats got on the board first, sophomore forward Matt Taylor found the back of the net in the 15th minute of play. The 2016 MAAC Men’s Soccer Rookie of the Year, Eamon Whelan tallied Quinnipiac’s second score of the day off a right cross from Dally in the 20th minute.
The 2015 MAAC Men’s Soccer Champions, two seed Rider University (7-1-2) advanced to the Championship Final after a victory over three seed Siena College (6-3-1) in penalty kicks. The 2016 MAAC Co-Goalkeeper of the year Ryan Baird and senior midfielder Christian Flath propelled the Broncs to the Championship Game.
Baird denied Siena on three consecutive penalty kick attempts and made a total of four saves on the afternoon. Flath scored the first goal of the game in the 39th minute on a left cross from junior forward Elliott Otmani. Flath also scored the game-winner in penalty kicks for the Broncs.
Rider’s freshman forward Clement Bourret scored the Broncs’ second goal to tie the game, 2-2 in the 76th minute. Bourret received a left cross and found the back of the net on the far post. He was assisted by Otmani and junior forward Jose Aguinaga.
Quinnipiac and Rider last met on Saturday, October 29 at QU Soccer Field. The Broncs defeated the Bobcats, 3-1 to snap Quinnipiac’s then seven-game winning streak. Rider received goals from Aguinaga, red-shirt freshman back Arthur Herpreck, and senior back Rob Nardiello.
Quinnipiac and Rider have met a total of five times, with the Broncs leading the all-time series (3-2). Their first meeting came on November 9, 2013 at Ben Cohen Field. The Bobcats picked up a 1-0 win in double overtime.
The winner of the 2016 MAAC Men’s Soccer Championship will receive the leagues automatic bid to the 2016 NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship. The NCAA Selection Show for Division I Men’s Soccer will air on NCAA.com on Monday, November 14 at 1:00 p.m.
For all up-to-date information on the 2016 MAAC Men’s Soccer Championship, visit maacsports.com/menssoccer.