QBSN The Magazine
QUINNIPIAC VOLLEYBALL: A SUDDEN RISE, A SUDDEN PAUSE, AND THE LONG WAIT TO CONTEND FOR A TITLE
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Liz Flynn
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Spring 2021
Keith Petruzzelli: QU’s Award-winning goalie details his rise to stardom, making the most of his final season p. 4
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 4 Keith Petruzzelli 10 Spring Previews
QBSN The Quinnipiac Bobcats Sports Network (QBSN) is a student-run organization at Quinnipiac University and was founded in 2010. QBSN offers students the unique opportunity to become active sports journalists, though we welcome folks from every major to come in and get involved in a fun and welcoming atmosphere. QBSN covers the majority of sporting events at Quinnipiac University with all broadcasts available either on Mixlr or via Quinnipiac Athletics. QBSN also offers game previews, recaps, feature articles, photography and live podcasts available through this website, as well as live social media updates. QBSN also works closely with other Quinnipiac Student Media organizations to further the coverage of all things Quinnipiac University. This includes the weekly show, Bobcat Breakdown that QBSN produces with Q30. After only two years of existence, QBSN gained noticeable recognition, earning the QU New Student Organization of the Year award in the 2010-11 scholastic year and the 2011-12 Quinnipiac Athletics Behind the Scenes award. Without the support of its passionate members, the Quinnipiac Bobcats Sports Network would not be able to flourish in all areas of student media, including pioneering the next phases of development as an organization. Thank you to all of those who have made this venture a reality. Happy reading. CHIEF EDITOR: Kevin Higgins
The Hobey Baker finalist knew he wanted to make his senior year in Hamden special - and he’s done just that.
At long last, spring sports return to Quinnipiac. Check out what to watch for this season for all of QU’s spring teams!
Stepping in for the team MVP is a near impossible task, but QU’s other stud netminder has been even better than advertised.
Morgan Sherwin and Evan Vulgamore *Photo credits to Liz Flynn and Quinnipiac Athletics* headline two of Quinnipiac’s best programs - how are they preparing for success in their final seasons?
6 Logan Angers 22 Spring Stars 8 Volleyball
After coming so close to a title, Kyle Robinson and co. have waited a long time to get back in action. Liz Flynn details some unfinished business on the hardwood.
24 Predictions
Aiden Barrett, Emily Sweeney and Clever Streich look into their crystal balls as they tell you how some of QU’s teams will fare this spring.
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The Gold Standard
By sergio De La Espriella Every young hockey player dreams of playing in the NHL. For Keith Petruzzelli, that dream looks closer and closer to becoming a reality.
senior year and dominate’ and be more ready, more prepared for when I make that jump to my pro career.”
A senior goaltender on the Quinnipiac Bobcats men’s ice hockey team, Petruzzelli was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the 3rd round of the 2017 NHL Draft. But before he laces up his skates for Detroit’s AHL affiliate, he has some unfinished business to take care of in Hamden.
It’s been quite a journey for Petruzzelli. In his first two seasons on campus, he split games with another standout goalie in Andrew Shortridge, limiting his playing time - he played in 11 games his freshman year and 14 games in his sophomore year.
“I was 21 at the end of last year, we didn’t get to have playoffs which was very sad for me. It would have been my first chance to take the net in the playoffs and compete for the boys, so that was tough,” Petruzzelli said. “And in talks with Detroit, it was ‘why not come back for my 4
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And dominate he has.
As a junior, Petruzzelli took the reigns as the unquestioned number one for the Bobcats. He started 34 games and lead Quinnipiac to a 21-10-2 record, highlighted by a 29-save shutout in a 5-0 win over Yale. He was also named the ECAC Hockey Goaltender of the week three times and had a save percentage of .920.
Going into his senior season, Petruzzelli took what he learned from his early Quinnipiac career and made the necessary adjustments to give the Bobcats their best chance at success. “I think my first few years I was trying to do a little bit too much, playing too athletic. These past few years I’ve really quieted my feet down, quieted my hands down, and overall playing a more solid and simplified hockey game and I think it’s paid dividends for me,” explained Petruzzelli. Petruzzelli’s senior season was his best season as a Bobcat. Despite a shortened regular season, Petruzzelli was able to put up fantastic numbers. He started all 27 of the Bobcats’ regular season games, making 615 saves for a save percentage of .929. Even though the season wasn’t exactly what he Spring 2021
Petruzzelli has been flashing the leather in net all season long for the Bobcats en route to winning the Ken Dryden Goaltender of the Year Award, awarded to the best goaltender in ECAC Hockey. (Photo: Quinnipiac Athletics)
expected it would be, Petruzzelli sees no reason to feel slighted by the games missed. “It is what it is. We’re all just trying to make the best of the times that we’re living in right now. I think Quinnipiac has done a great job with that. We’ve been able to play quite a few games this year while other ECAC teams have not been able to do that. I’m just happy to be playing, happy to be in that net stopping pucks,” said Petruzzelli.
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Petruzzelli’s massive year has led him to be nominated for the Hobey Baker award, awarded to the top NCAA men’s ice hockey player in the nation. His nomination is just a reflection on how much of an impact he’s made for the Bobcats this season. “It’s a huge honor getting that nomination. Odeen [Tufto] is up there too. He’s a great guy, great captain, great leader. It’s a huge Spring 2021
honor for the both of us and we’re just hoping for the best,” answered Petruzzelli when asked about his Hobey Baker nomination. In addition to being nominated for the Hobey Baker award, Petruzzelli is also nominated for the Mike Richter award, given annually to the nation’s top NCAA goaltender. “It feels great. This is the year I wanted to have. I wanted to come back this year and have a dominant year. I feel I’ve done that,” said Petruzzelli about being a Mike Richeter award nominee. It’s easy to look ahead when you have a bright career in the NHL waiting for you post-graduation. For Petruzzelli, he chooses to focus on the friendships he made throughout his time at Quinnipiac. “I’ve made some great friendships over my four years
here. There’s only four of us seniors left. We started with ten so that’s obviously a tight-knit group with me, Odeen [Tufto], Joe [O’Connor], and ‘Manny’ [ Josh Mayanja] we’re super close. I love all these guys. It’s a blast getting to come to the rink and see those guys. Those are guys I’ll stay in contact with for the rest of my life, for sure.”
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It feels great. This is the year I wanted to have. I wanted to come back this year and have a dominant YEAR... I feel I’ve done that,”
- Keith Petruzzelli theqbsn.com
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BIG SKATES TO FILL By RYAN FLAHERTY
In a year that has been filled with so much uncertainty, the Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey team began the 2020-21 season with one particular uncertainty on their mind - and it wasn’t the pandemic
Abby Ives, who played four seasons for the Bobcats and was a staple in between the pipes, graduated and signed a professional contract for the Connecticut Whale of the National Women’s Hockey League. The Logan Angers era was officially here, and she was ready. Angers, a redshirt sophomore from Winnipeg, Manitoba, was certainly no stranger to playing at a high level. Serving as a backup in 2019, she recorded two shutouts 6
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in her first two starts, both coming against Sacred Heart University. She went on to post a 3-0-1 record, a .940 save percentage, and a goals against average of 1.01. Prior to Quinnipiac, she competed on Team Canada’s U18 National team at the World Championships in January of 2018. As she waited for her shot, constantly watching and learning from Ives, their relationship developed into something bigger than the game. “I think that my relationship with Ives definitely grew over the years,” said Angers. “When she was playing, she was always looking at me to give her some advice, make her feel better, whatever it might be so I think that our relationship was really
strong and we really respected each other for what we each could do.” In such an illustrious career like Ives’, there were plenty of things to admire about her game, but Angers said it was her preparation that she tries her best to mimic. “Just how detail-focused she was,” said Angers. “She knew everything about all the other teams and all their players…she really was a student of the game.” So on December 13th, when Angers led the Bobcats out of the tunnel for the first time as the team’s starting goalie, she knew she was facing a tall task. Not only was she filling the shoes of one of the best goalies to ever play for the program, but she Spring 2021
As team oriented as they come, Angers praised the important - and often overlooked - relationship in hockey between herself, a goaltender, and her defense. “The biggest thing is just trust, like trusting that the [defense] will get the puck out after you make a stop or the [defense] trusting you that you’ll make a stop.”
Since taking the place of 2020 team MVP Abbie Ives in net, Angers has not missed a beat in vaulting Quinnipiac to a top 10 national rank. (Photo: Quinnipiac Athletics)
would have to do it in a conference flooded with some of the best teams in the nation. Being nervous never crossed her mind. “I just get excited about it… every game is more exciting knowing that we get to compete with these teams.” Since that day, she has led the Bobcats to a 10-5 record and a berth in the ECAC Hockey playoffs. At times the best player on the ice, Angers has continuously made clutch saves in crunch time to keep the Bobcats in close games. All of which she credits to the growth of one aspect of her game.
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“My decision making when I’m on the ice…getting used to playing at a different level and making decisions that are more appropriate for higher level players.” Taking her game to another level, Angers was named as a candidate for the women’s ice hockey Goalie of the Year award, but despite Spring 2021
“
I JUST GET EXCITED ABOUT (PLAYING)... EVERY GAME IS MORE EXCITING KNOWING THAT WE GET TO COMPETE WITH THESE TEAMS.” - LOGAN ANGERS
her personal successes, you won’t find her looking at stats or rankings for motivation. “I try not to look at it too much. I’ll see it on social media every once in a while, but I try not to dive into it too deep, of course it’s always nice to know how you’re doing if you ever need to check in, but I think not focusing on it too much is a big thing for me.”
Trust is not earned, it’s built. With multiple injuries to the backend, Angers has had an especially tough task building that trust with new faces. “Our forwards have really stepped in and they’ve fit right in as the defenseman,” she explained “We didn’t expect it by any means, but I think it’s gone overly well and they’re just so willing to be better at something they’ve never done before.” Amidst all this is the global pandemic that continues to rage on and provide a constant sense of uneasiness as the season nears its end. “I think maybe just the uncertainty, like we go into every weekend maybe not knowing if we’re playing or who we’re playing.” As uncertain as this season is, Angers and the Bobcats have their sights set on a much larger goal. “Obviously everyone wants to win a national championship, so that would be amazing, but just really getting everyone on our team working together well and being the best we possibly can be.”
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Unfinished business
Last season, they shocked the MAAC by entering the 2019 tournament as the sixth and lowest seed and making it all the way to the championship game by taking down No. 3 Rider in the first round and No 2. Canisius in the semifinals. The Bobcats faced the topseeded Fairfield Stags in a rematch of the 2016 championship game and lost 3-1. Although the outcome didn’t go in Quinnipiac’s favor, senior right-side hitter Morgan Sherwin was impressed with the team’s resilience. “It was a lot of fun because we had no pressure on us,” Sherwin said. “We just believed in ourselves the entire time and being able to prove everyone wrong was really fun.”
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Head coach Kyle Robinson credited that success to his team trusting the new process in his first year and focusing on what they can control. “I was really happy with the way our student-athletes committed to the process,” he said. “The achievements we had were pretty cool and I was very happy with them.” This season, The Bobcats were prepared to pick up where they left off to make it back to the tournament and check off that last box of MAAC Champions. That plan was put on hold when the conference announced the cancellation of the fall 2020 season. But hope wasn’t lost as Sherwin and the rest of the team paid close attention to exactly what the MAAC said.
“When they announced [the season] wasn’t happening in the fall they used the word postponed,” Sherwin said. “We knew that they were trying everything to make it happen in the spring so that was in the back of our minds.” Under normal circumstances, Robinson and his squad could practice Monday to Friday in Burt Kahn and schedule out-of-conference games to prepare for MAAC play at the end of September. Thanks to COVID-19, their home court has turned into a testing site. It’s certainly not ideal, but with the help of facilities and a good cleaning schedule, the team can still practice safely. Spring 2021
Liz Flynn
The Quinnipiac volleyball team was hungry.
By LIZ FLYNN
Aryanah Diaz will look to follow up a stellar debut season with another deep run in the MAAC tournament. (Photo: Liz Flynn) “There is stuff all over the place but we’re in the middle of a pandemic,” Robinson said. “We’re not going to moan about it and we’re just thankful that we are on campus and have the opportunity to train.” Pandemic or no pandemic, Robinson says training still went on as scheduled. One difference was the ability to turn it down a few notches since the season wasn’t quickly approaching. “We had an idea of what the fall looked like without competition,” he said. “We’re not playing so we don’t have to train like maniacs.”
Liz Flynn
Every team on Quinnipiac’s campus was given protocols on how to practice and train while following the appropriate guidelines. For volleyball, this included starting out in small groups and as the semester progressed, full team practices were allowed and things started to feel normal again. The biggest challenge was adjusting to the fabric covering players’ noses and mouths at all times . Spring 2021
“I think it was getting used to
“
We’re just ready to get back on the court and play as a team again.” - MORGAN SHERWIN
the masks in the beginning,” Sherwin said. “Working out in them, running and conditioning with the heavy breathing.” One silver lining to a delayed season is the opportunity to focus on training new players. “Our core girls that are here were really on point,” Robinson said. “They really helped the girls coming in to ride the wave of learning and getting it.”
Looking towards the spring, Robinson hopes that the Quinnipiac community can come together and create something to say, “We made it.” “What better way to roll with life than to celebrate and reconnect with everyone,” he said. “This is a big blow and we can either let it crumble us or be thankful for the moments we have and keep moving.” On January 20, the MAAC announced that spring competition was approved. Volleyball specifically is scheduled to begin games on March 7, with the championship happening at the beginning of April. There is no guarantee that everything will run smoothly and if there will even be an opportunity to crown a 2021 MAAC Champion. But Quinnipiac volleyball is ready for whatever comes. “We’ve gone a very long time without playing a game,” Sherwin said. “We’re just ready to get back on the court and play as a team again.”
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Baseball Season Preview
By JASON HIRSCH Thursday, March 12, 2020.
That is the day that the Quinnipiac Bobcats baseball team found out on their team bus towards Tallahassee, Florida, that they would not be having an opportunity to defend their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title. For the 11 seniors on that team, the realization that their collegiate careers could potentially be over just 14 games into the season was brutal. There was so much still to play for, especially with MAAC conference play just around the corner. As Bobcats coach John Delaney told QBSN back in September, it was the hardest conversation that he has had to have in the entirety of his coaching career. 10
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conversation I’ve had to relay to a team or player individually,” Delaney said.
Donnelly illustrates the mindset that the Bobcats will be carrying with them all season this year.
“The fact that you guys have played your last game of the season, for seniors, you played the last game of your career. I kind of rolled through it a few times before I talked to them, thinking what’s the best way to say it? There is no best way.”
“We all want to go out and finish what we started,” Donnelly said. “That’s really been our main focus, talking about that. It’s just finishing what we didn’t get to this year.”
When the NCAA announced that all athletes who had their seasons stripped away because of the COVID-19 pandemic could get an extra season of eligibility, it was not even a question for a majority of the seniors about whether or not they would take advantage. With eight out of the 11 seniors from last year’s team returning this season, graduate student and relief pitcher Colin
It should be no surprise that the upperclassmen are who the Bobcats will be looking towards to carry the bulk of the offense: one of those players is graduate student and outfielder Andre Marrero. As a junior during the 2019 season, Marrero’s offense is one of the reasons that the Bobcats found themselves playing in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2005. Marrero boasted a slash line of .316/.383/.538 with 10 Spring 2021
Liz Flynn
home runs, 48 RBI and set the Quinnipiac Division I program record with 51 runs. Not to mention, Marrero was also named First-Team All-MAAC, ABCA/ Rawlings NCAA Division I AllNortheast Regional Team, and NEIBA All-New England Second Team. This extremely impressive season is one of the reasons why Marrero was named a Preseason All-MAAC Team member for the 2020 season. Not to mention, he was also named one of the top 150 hitters in collegiate baseball by D1Baseball.com. Unfortunately, Marrero could not get his offense going early during the 2020 season, hitting just .125 from the plate in 14 starts before the season got cancelled. So if any player needs the chance for a redemption season in 2021, it is Marrero.
On the pitching side of things, graduate student Blake DeCarr really started to turn heads, even in his limited innings during 2020. In 15 1/3 innings last season, DeCarr pitched to a 2.35 ERA while holding opponents a .208 average. Perhaps the most impressive performance by DeCarr was his no-decision against the #12 ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs, in which DeCarr gave up one run on four hits in 5 1/3 innings. But lastly, what would this season preview be without mentioning possibly the most important player for the Bobcats this season? Enter graduate student and 2019 NCAA Tournament East Carolina Regional All-Tournament
Team member, Evan Vulgamore. In 2020, Vulgamore was one of the few Bobcats on offense who was ready to go immediately out of the gate. Vulgamore slashed a statline of .277/.414/.532 with 13 RBI during the 14 games that encompassed the Bobcats’ season. Of all the players for Quinnipiac who will step up to the plate this season, none of them carry the expectations that Vulgamore will. On the back of a MAAC title and NCAA tournament appearance in 2019, the Bobcats enter the 2021 season determined to reclaim their title and finishing what they did not get the opportunity to do last season.
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Senior pitcher Colin Donnelly will look to build off a strong 2019 campaign that saw him pitch the Bobcats to victory in the NCAA tournament. (Photo: Quinnipiac Athletics)
Spring 2021
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SOFTBALL Season Preview
By Jason hirsch As the snow melts and the flowers begin to bloom with enchanting hue and colors, you know that the cold months of winter are coming to an end, and the spring season is beginning once again. It also means that yet another season of Quinnipiac softball is right around the corner as well. Softball, like every spring sport, saw their season get cut short last season by the COVID-19 pandemic after just 11 games. For head coach Hillary Smith, the cancellation of the Bobcats’ season led to her having to have one of the most difficult and unprecedented conversations with her team that a coach could ever have in collegiate sports. 12
“My heart really hurt,” QBSN: THE MAGAZINE theqbsn.com
Smith said. “Just because I felt like as a team we were finally getting to where we wanted to be. It took a little while, but we were right where we were supposed to be. It really hit home.” “I cried when I told them the news. But I made sure to go around and give everyone a hug because I felt for them.” With a new season kicking off on March 20 against the Rider Broncs, there are several things to look forward to for the upcoming year. Kayla Jensen, senior outfielder and captain of the Bobcats for the second consecutive season, returns to presumably anchor the top of the batting order, where she has been an extremely reliable and productive bat for Quinnipiac.
As a sophomore in 2019, Jensen led the Bobcats with a .339 average and a .429 slugging percentage to go along with 16 stolen bases. In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Jensen put up another impressive stretch with a .333 average and .455 slugging percentage. If there is one thing the Bobcats certainly will not have to worry about, it is Jensen producing at the top of the order for them. Besides Jensen and the other upperclassmen, there are many first-years and sophomores for the Bobcats this season who will be counted on to get the team where they want to go. One of those first-years is Payton Sharon. Playing at Wilbraham and Monson Academy in Western Spring 2021
Head coach Hillary Smith is looking forward to watching her team get back to where they were before the pandemic ended their 2020 season. (Photo: Quinnipiac Athletics)
Massachusetts, Sharon broke her school’s record for batting average, stolen bases, walks, and on-base percentage during her four years as a Titan. In addition, Sharon also was a member of a gold medal winning team in the Baystate Summer Games, and was named to the All-Western Mass. second team as both a freshman and a sophomore. Another player who is due for a big season is senior utility player, Brighid Douglas.
Liz Flynn
During her first season in 2018, Douglas got off to as good of a start as you can get, hitting to the tune of a .299 batting average with 19 runs and 15 RBI, all while also recording 14 walks. This great season led to Douglas being named a member of the 2018 All-MAAC rookie team. Spring 2021
After a semi-quiet sophomore and junior season, Douglas is in line for a big campaign during the 2021 season. For the Bobcats to go far, Douglas is one of the upperclassmen whose bat and glove will be a huge proprietor in trying to help Quinnipiac win the MAAC title. There are definitely questions for the Bobcats entering the 2021 season. Is the team reliant on too much youth? Do they have enough pitching? For Smith, Jensen and the rest of the Bobcats, the only thing we can say for certain about them is that they will be playing softball in 2021, and that is as good of news as possible that one can hope for in these uncertain times. If the Bobcats bats get going early, then there are no reasons why this group cannot compete to win their first MAAC title in 2021.
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I felt like as a team we were finally getting to where we wanted to be... it took a little while, but we were right where we were supposed to be.” - HILLARY SMITH ON 2020 SEASON
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WoMen’s SOCCER Season Preview By Kevin perez
After the MAAC postponed all 2020 fall sports competitions, it seemed as though Quinnipiac women’s soccer might not be able have their season at all. However, due to the loosening of COVID restrictions, many MAAC fall sports are now taking place in the spring, including both Quinnipiac soccer teams. This year will look a little different, though: Quinnipiac will play a condensed season in the spring where every game will be of the utmost importance, especially when looking at how the Bobcats performed last year. Overall, head coach Dave Clarke led Quinnipiac to a 108-1 record with a 5-4-1 in the MAAC, which was good enough to make the playoffs as the #5 seed. Quinnipiac ended up losing however in the semifinals of the MAAC Tournament, falling to #2 14
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Fairfield after defeating #4 Marist in the quarterfinals. Now with a new slate, Clarke will look to improve this Bobcats squad over the course of only six MAAC conference games and no non-conference matchups. Talk about emphasizing importance. Of course, with every new season that comes around, teams have to say goodbye to graduates who had an impact on this team during their time in Hamden. One of them was forward Ally Grunstein, who led the team with eight assists while also scoring one goal last year. On the defensive side, another important player who departed from Quinnipiac after their 2019 season was Kylie Lance, who anchored the back line in every game for the last two years as a starter.
Clarke will also miss Mackenzie Tibball, who started and played in all 19 games last year as an integral part of the back line with 1,545 minutes played. But don’t look back and ask what could have been. Look at the current roster and ponder, ‘what can happen now’? Players on the current roster want to bring Quinnipiac to a MAAC championship level team, including goaltender Meaghan Phillips. Phillips started 17 games in net with a record of 9-7-1, and surprised many as a great asset to the team as she was named the MAAC Rookie of the Year in 2019. One of the more important players in the middle of the pitch is Selena Salas, who led the Bobcats in goals scored with six in 16 games and scored two goals in the comeback against Marist in last year’s MAAC quarterfinal. Spring 2021
The All-MAAC Second Team and All-MAAC Rookie team midfielder from 2018 leads this group, alongside 2019 member of the All-MAAC Rookie team Olivia Scott, in the midfield. Scott recorded three goals and four assists in 19 games last year, and recorded a whopping 1,675 minutes played, the most of any active player on the current roster.
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Staying on the attack will be redshirt-senior Kelsey Goldring, who scored three goals and one assist in nine games played last season. The MAAC Co-Rookie of the Year and ECAC Rookie of the Year in 2017 will look to put a lasting footprint at Quinnipiac before graduating after the season. Anchoring the defensive unit for one last season will be Hannah Reiter, as she started all 19 games last year as a center back. Reiter recorded 1,646 minutes of Spring 2021
play time last year, which indicates that she will be the leader for the new kids on the block defensively. Speaking of new faces, the incoming first-years for the Bobcats look to be in good shape. Two notable players to keep your eye on will be Anna Hartzheim and Rose Lockery. Hartzheim holds quite the resume from Syracuse, New York, as she made First-Team All-State in 2019. Hartzheim also received praise from United Soccer Coaches as an All-East Region selection as well. Lockery, on the other hand, is a local product out of Branford who led her club soccer team to a Connecticut Cup Championship and made Second Team All-SCC while at Branford High School in 2020.
into Quinnipiac for a new look. Quinnipiac has six games currently scheduled for their unprecedented 2021 spring season, with their first contest being a rematch from last year’s MAAC quarterfinal matchup against Marist on March 9th. Their schedule then pits the Bobcats against Rider, Manhattan, Monmouth, Niagara and Fairfield before the MAAC Tournament begins on April 9th. It is an understatement to say that this season will be full of surprises. But one thing is for sure, and it’s that Quinnipiac will look to improve from their #5 ranking last year and develop into one of the leaders of the MAAC pack.
These two exciting talents will lead a squad of six first-years theqbsn.com
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MEN’S SOCCER PREVIEW
It’s been about a year and a half, but the time has finally come for Quinnipiac men’s soccer squad to return to action. The fall 2020 season was not played because the MAAC decided to postpone it due to the lingering concerns of COVID-19. However, the MAAC did announce that its aspirations were to crown a MAAC champion and to do so during the spring of 2021. So as the Bobcats begin their season against only MAAC foes, let’s take a look at how this team could perform this year despite all of the setbacks presented to them. For starters, the team will definitely miss the seniors that left this team last year. A notable striker that graduated was Eamon Whelan, who was the Bobcats top 16
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By KEVIN PEREZ
scoring option for years, as he was a First Team All-MAAC player twice and was unanimously named the MAAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2018. Along with Whelan, who played in almost every game during his tenure, head coach Eric Da Costa also lost two of his defensive starters in Christian Casagranda and Conor McCoy. Although he only recorded 2 assists in his 3-year career, Casagranda was a key role player in the defensive back line for Da Costa’s formation. He recorded 1,071 minutes last year, which showed how important he was to the Bobcats. As for McCoy, his 1,443 minutes played allowed him to
anchor Da Costa’s defensive unit that only allowed 13 goals in a 10 game stretch last year. McCoy’s performances earned him a place in the All-MAAC Second Team twice and the All-MAAC First Team once. So, with these 3 starters out of the roster for good, I am optimistic that Da Costa will find a way to fill those cleats with the players that he has now. With the first-year commitments that came in this past year, Da Costa has plenty to work with in terms of finding new gems that can shine bright like the seniors of yesterday. One player to keep an eye on is Alexander Kyrkjeeide, who is a 6-foot-3 forward from Bergen, Norway. Kyrkjeeide was known as the Most Valuable Player for his Spring 2021
previous club in Fana IL in the Norwegian League and he led the team for most goals and assists during his time in Norway. On the defensive side of the pitch, 3 new faces are coming to Quinnipiac’s side in Rom Wasserman, Jared Smith, and Luke Allen. With Wasserman winning a national championship in his native country of Israel, Smith winning a state championship in Massachusetts, and Allen being a member of the Wales National Team on multiple occasions, it seems that this year’s first-year class looks very bright on paper. But that’s not where it ends. The Bobcats also recruited a goaltender in Antreas Hadjigavriel, who has double-digit international appearances for Cyprus, and an All-American attacking midfielder in Terrance Wilder Jr. With just those accolades from the incoming first-years, Quinnipiac’s next
generation looks strong. The five first-years join a Bobcats squad who finished last season with a 9-6-3 overall record, going 7-2-1 in the MAAC. Despite the good record and finishing second in the MAAC rankings, the Bobcats fell to Iona in their only MAAC Tournament game last year, ending their season. What’s different this year is that there will be no nonconference matchups because of COVID-19 concerns/protocols. With that being said, Quinnipiac will focus solely on capturing a MAAC title as they square off against teams only in the conference, which makes every game this season more important than ever before. Da Costa comes into this unique season with a good unit from last year that wants to improve from their finish last year
in the tournament. Returning to the team this year are players like senior goalie Jared Mazzola, who impressed many by making the All-MAAC Second Team last year and having .748 save percentage with 3 shutouts. Some key players that are joining him in the return is the two time All-MAAC First Team member Jeppe Haehre, MAAC Rookie of the Year Tomas Svecula, and midfield anchor Simon Hillinger, who scored 4 goals last year in 16 games started. Another feature of this season is that the Bobcats will only play 7 total games in the MAAC, as it is a condensed season. The Bobcats begin their season on March 11th hosting the Manhattan Jaspers, where the stakes of rankings into the MAAC Tournament could not be higher.
Liz Flynn
Simon Hillinger will look to call his own number this year after the Bobcats lost their leading goal-scorer in Eamon Whelan to graduation last offseason. (Photo: Liz Flynn)
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Field Hockey PREVIEW By JARED PENNA
Head coach Becca Main brings her squad and her impeccable hair into yet another season as Quinnipiac’s field hockey team gears up for another run in the Big East.
This spring marks the fifth time the team will play a season in the Big East conference, and the first that the conference hosts games in the latter academic semester. To date, Main has orchestrated fewer success stories than ones of adversity and challenge, but in a whacky year who knows what’s possible. Still, things don’t look all that bright for the Bobcats. They lost some big names recently with players like Bianca Strubbe and Ines Ruiz-Martinez having 18
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graduated. Strubbe nearly doubled the next-leading point-getter on the team with 21 points in 2019, and Ruiz-Martinez finished third with seven. Who did that leave sandwiched between them? Sophomore forward Julianna Cappello. In her first season she showed signs of great potential, joining Strubbe as the team’s only other double digit point scorer with 12 on the season. The 5-foot-4 talent put in six goals last season, again second to only Strubbe who recorded nine. Still, as with any team sport the Bobcats can’t rely on Cappello alone. It’s hard to say
who’s going to step up and fill the shoes of those who left, but there are a couple potential candidates that give the team some real hope: namely, juniors Makayla Adams and Brooke Whipkey. Adams had a stellar debut season in 2018, recording four goals and two assists to finish fifth on the team with 10 points. Her offensive contributions were monumental in helping the Bobcats achieve a 7-10 record, its best since leaving the MAAC. The same could be said of Whipkey, who notched six goals and fifteen points, both of which led the team that year. In addition she dished out three assists, helping the offense flow a little smoother. Spring 2021
Quinnipiac head coach Becca Main will look for her team to take a step forward on the path to contention in a challenging Big East conference this season (Photo: Liz Flynn)
In 2019, though, both Adams and Whipkey took a step back. In 18 games — 11 of them starts — Adams didn’t record a single point. No goals, no assists and just five shot attempts throughout the entire season despite playing one more game than the year before. Whipkey regressed too, putting in just one goal and two assists despite spending 26 more minutes on the field.
Liz Flynn
In order for the Bobcats to start approaching the level they were once at, they’ll need these proven players to start performing at their peak levels again. They’ve shown what they’re capable of, now it’s just a matter of getting their best out of them on a consistent basis. Spring 2021
What makes that challenging is the conference the team is in. The Big East is no joke, especially UConn, whose conference championship streak dates back to before the Bobcats even left the MAAC. It’s not exactly easy to imagine the Bobcats licking their chops when they see teams like Villanova and Old Dominion on the schedule either. Quinnipiac is 0-6 with a -11 goal differential against those two squads in the past three years. When it comes to a hard prediction on how this season will truly go? Expect a win out of the gate against Providence, but things might start getting a little shaky after there.
A back-to-back with Villanova presents the opportunity at least one close game, if not a win, but a UConn game later in the week could end up a 6-0 defeat for the Bobcats. It’s fair to expect at least a split in the four games against Providence this year, and even giants get beat sometimes, so Quinnipiac could find themselves responsible for a major upset at some point this season too. I think it’s going to be a 3-9 year for the Bobcats, who just can’t seem to escape the bottom of the Big East.
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Women’s lacrosse PREVIEW By kevin Higgins
Though it’s easy to want instant success with a new system, patience is often the key to long-term sustainability. But for a team that hasn’t finished above .500 since the 2012 season, it’s certainly been a long time coming. As Tanya Kotowicz enters her fifth year as head coach of the Quinnipiac women’s lacrosse team, it looks as though the program is finally ready to turn the corner on the path to success.
Quinnipiac Athletics
Before last season was cancelled due to the pandemic, the Bobcats sat at 3-4 and ready to begin MAAC play. The three wins already put Quinnipiac on pace to win their most games since Kotowicz became head coach, but it looks like the 2021 team should be able to pick up right where last year’s left off, and perhaps even better. You can’t talk about Quinnipiac women’s lacrosse without talking about Megan Szawlowski. The star attacker amassed an even 50 goals over her two seasons with Quinnipiac, but it looked as though her career might have been cut short
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after last season’s abrupt end. However, Szawlowski was able to exercize another year of eligibility as a graduate student, and with her leadership and scoring prowess, the team maintains its most important player for one last season. While it’s certainly nice to have a reliable scoring option, it’s even nicer to have depth to fall back on, and more than a few Bobcats look ready to contribute in secondary scoring. 2020’s team saw 7 players score at least 5 goals, a good sign for what is hopefully a longer 2021 season. Maddie Deegan’s development is also an important factor for Quinnipiac’s success. The junior midfielder was on pace for over 20 goals last season after an impressive 17-goal showing during her first year in Hamden. Expect her numbers to continue climbing, as the duo of she and Szawlowski can provide a more than formidable 1-2 punch on the offensive end. Quinnipiac shouldn’t have trouble keeping pace offensively, but
much of their success this season will rely on sophomore goalkeeper Kat Henselder, who will likely be thrust into the starting role with only three prior collegiate appearances. Looking to make Henselder’s job a little easier will be defender Melissa Murphy, who impressed as a first-year in 2020, picking up 13 ground balls while forcing six turnovers as she started every game. With newlygained experience and another year of development, Murphy’s sophomore campaign might see her elevate to the team’s top defensive option. While this year’s team is likely not ready to lift any trophies just yet, they have a great opportunity to lay the groundwork for a successful system and coaching staff. Regardless, I hope it was fun for the rest of the MAAC to beat up on the Bobcats over the past few years, because those days are likely over. Quinnipiac seems poised to take that first big step up the conference standings this year, and it looks as though a brighter future is almost here for Kotowicz’s program as a whole. Spring 2021
men’s lacrosse PREVIEW By kevin Higgins
It’s pretty fair to say that the Quinnipiac men’s lacrosse team has had a few turbulent years.
Quinnipiac Athletics
From coaching changes to the MAAC championship game to a global pandemic, you could argue that no other team on Quinnipiac’s campus has experienced the roller coaster that Mason Poli’s Bobcats have over the past 2 seasons.
Jake Tomsik and junior Will Abbott. After tying for the team lead in goals and finishing first and second on the team in points, respectively, much is to be expected out of the dynamic duo this year, and Quinnipiac’s offense will likely go as far as these two can take them.
Poli was elevated to interim head coach of the team for the 2019 season, and after a berth in the 2019 MAAC title game, he was kept on full-time. After an 0-6 start to the 2020 season against a difficult out of conference schedule, Quinnipiac was prepared to get into the swing of MAAC play. However, the pandemic cancelled the remainder of the team’s season, so to say the Bobcats have waited a while to get back to playing MAAC lacrosse is an understatement.
In terms of shot-stopping, Nick DiMuccio will likely be between the pipes this season, as the junior started all six games before last season’s end, putting together a .476% save percentage while stopping 79 shots. Look for DiMuccio to break out a little this year, as in 2019 he led the MAAC in saves per contest while maintaining a .522 save percentage. Now with the opportunity to play a full MAAC schedule with a little more experience under his belt, the Bobcats might have themselves one of the best goalies in the conference.
After losing important senior contributors in Tyler Mackay and Tyler DeVito, the focus of this 2021 team’s production is squarely on senior
Demitri George will once again look to be proficient in the faceoff circle, as his 61.1% faceoff percentage was good for second in
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the MAAC. Additionally, George picked up a MAAC-high 58 ground balls during the abbreviated season, so he’s proved vital in gaining possession for Quinnipiac to set up shop with Tomsik and Abbott. The Bobcats also have a potential X-factor on their defense this year in the form of Zack Siegel. The sophomore is a transfer from Furman University, and he owns an impressive amount of hardware, including the Arizona Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Year award during his senior year of high school. It should be interesting to see how his skills translate with his new team and conference, as the Bobcats hope Siegel can be the defense’s cornerstone for the next few years. With the top producers of seasons past still in the lineup, some exciting additions and another year of experience for this coaching staff, Quinnipiac’s expectations for the 2021 MAAC season are high, and a conference title is as attainable as ever. theqbsn.com
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SPRINGING FORWARD
by KEVIN BORBA There were instances of fear that there would be no season, and that COVID-19 would strike again, leading to the cancelation of the baseball and volleyball seasons this spring.
Senior infielder/outfielder Evan Vulgamore (baseball) and senior right outside hitter Morgan Sherwin (volleyball) both were unable to partake in a full season last year as a result of the ongoing pandemic. Vulgamore vividly remembers that moment because of the gut-wrenching look on the face of head coach John Delaney, who had to break the news that their season was over after just 14 games. It just didn’t sit right with Delaney, as he expressed to the team - and specifically the seniors - that he would do anything in his power to make sure that they 22
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would be playing in a Bobcat uniform this spring. The possibility of not being able to play again was a thought that Vulgamore tried to not let sneak into his mind. “I never even thought about it getting canceled, it’s always a ‘stay ready so you don’t have to get ready’ mentality.” explained Vulagmore. This message was reciprocated by Sherwin. “Our coach made sure we stayed ready for anything that was thrown our way, and just looking forward to any possibility, any scenario, of a season,” Sherwin said. Now that the athletes know their respective seasons are happening, the mindset has
changed from preparing for a potential season to getting ready to win. Both athletes had an unusual amount of free time that found Vulgamore picking up a new hobby of landscaping around his house, while Sherwin and the volleyball team used the time to become more connected. “We got to become a little more closer, we had some extra time where we were spread out in the gym for practice, and just staying mentally prepared knowing we it’s going to be a challenging season, we all got mentally stronger in that way so we all became closer.” said Sherwin. Both sports will play in a condensed season, as they will be playing conference-only schedules. Spring 2021
“We don’t have those southern trips, where we can kind of figure it out before conference play, since we are conference only, game one matters.” said Vulagmore. “Sometimes early in the season in normal years, guys are moving around trying to see what clicks, but we are hitting the ground running, we got 40 games and only 4 teams are making it in. We have to be ready.” After approval was made by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) for sports such as men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, and men’s and women’s lacrosse to be played starting in March, the teams are now geared up and ready for their seasons. Both programs have MAAC championship desires, and each know how to get there. Vulgamore and the baseball team won the last MAAC title in 2019, while Sherwin’s squad advanced to the MAAC championship match during their last fall season in 2019. As one of the three seniors on the volleyball team, Sherwin has a strong desire to go out on a high note. “It would be great to be able to win the first MAAC championship, just to be able to go out and play through a pandemic. It would be pretty cool.” said Sherwin.
Liz Flynn
Baseball got a taste of success when they made it to an NCAA regional in 2019, something that Vulgamore is yearning for again.
Morgan Sherwin is looking forward to blocking the competition en route to a second straight MAAC tournament finals appearance. (Photo Credit: Liz Flynn)
Vulgamore.
We are gonna take one game at a time, but I didn’t come back to not make a regional.”
“We are going to leave this place with more of a winning culture and just more of a team mindset, we have so many studs in our lineup, it’s a different atmosphere that will go from a small D1 school to a baseball school someday.’’ said Vuglamore. “Give it five years and we are going to be the talk of the Northeast.”
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- Evan Vulgamore
Vulgamore remembers the early struggles the team faced at the beginning of his tenure at Quinnipiac, but he stressed how much better of a place the program is in now.
COVID-19 had these two senior athletes and their teams wondering if they would ever get a chance to play together again. But now with their seasons approaching, they are looking to once again make some noise in the MAAC and leave their programs in a better place than they found it.
“We are gonna take one game at a time, but I didn’t come back to not make a regional,” said Spring 2021
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Spring Sports PRedictions
By QBSN STAFF Men’s Soccer: Emily Sweeney: With the loss of goal-scoring machine Eamon Whelan, sophomore forward Tomas Svecula is looking to become the leader in the offensive aspect of this team. The 2019 MAAC Rookie of the Year should continue to impress. Jordon Bennett should help shore up the defensive end, while Jared Mazzola continues to bring a fiery presence between the pipes. Ranked second in the MAAC preseason poll, the Bobcats should contend for another conference title. Record Prediction: 5-1-1 Aiden Barrett: Due to the graduation of Eamon Whelan, the Bobcats will have to rely on team defense more so than ever; Jordon Bennett and Jeppe Haehre should be in much bigger defensive roles. Luckily for Quinnipiac it will still have their ace in net - goalkeeper Jared Mazzola. Mazzola has been money since coming to Quinnipiac, posting back to back nine win seasons. Expect another strong season from Mazzola in his last ride 24
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as a Bobcat. Record Prediction: 5-2-0
Women’s Soccer: Clever Streich: Picked fourth in the preseason poll, Selena Salas will look to guide Quinnipiac to another postseason berth - Salas registered a team leading 16 points in 2019. Other standouts include sophomore midfielder Olivia Scott, who was named to the 2019 MAAC All-Rookie Team, and sophomore keeper and 2019 MAAC Rookie of the Year Meaghan Phillips, who will both look to grow on impressive 2019 first-year performances. Record Prediction: 3-2-1
part of the teams’ midfield game play, and sophomore Selena Salas, who showed her strengths with a brace in QU’s 2019 MAAC Quarterfinal comeback win against Marist, will both be integral parts of this squad’s success. Record Prediction: 3-2-1
Baseball: Aiden Barrett: It’s been almost two years since we saw Quinnipiac take home the MAAC title, and although 16 of the 38 players on the roster are from that team, it’s a very different group. Without Andrew Workman and Tyler Poulin to shore up the pitching staff, look for grad student Colin Donnelly to play a huge role this season, as he was a key factor for the Bobcats championship run back in 2019. As for the hitting, keep an eye on senior Colton Bender: he batted a .322 with 66 hits on 205 times up at bat in 2019.
Emily Sweeney: The player to watch on this team is sophomore goalkeeper Meaghan Phillips. Having the 2019 rookie of the year in net is a great foundation for this team, but in order for these women to have the season of their dreams, they are going Record Prediction: 24-16 to need to bring the boom offensively. Sophomore Markela Bejleri, a critical
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Emily Sweeney: The defending MAAC champs had a 30-29 record during their last full season in 2019, and they’ll look to be even better in 2021. Watch for grad student Evan Vulgamore to bring the lumber again after a .277 batting average in 2019, and also for first-year Braydon Seaburg who had a .233 batting average while flashing serious potential in a shortened 2020. After losing some key arms, the pitching staff is going to be something to watch this season, as it held prominent weight in the 2019 championship, and could be a factor in the opportunity to repeat. Record Prediction: 27-13
Quinnipiac Athletics, Liz Flynn
Softball: Clever Streich: The Quinnipiac softball team enters the 2021 season looking to gain some experience and stability for a roster primarily composed of 16 underclassmen who have not completed a full MAAC. As a result, the Bobcats will rely on senior leadership to guide the newcomers while providing offensive power at the plate. Senior outfielder Kayla Jensen will play a big role as the new team captain, following a brief 2020 campaign that saw her batting Spring 2021
.332 with an .844 OPS. This will be a year of growth and development for Hillary Smith’s team while they transition to a younger group of players. Record Prediction: 12-28 Aiden Barrett: Leading the way for this Bobcats team is outfielder and senior team captain Kayla Jensen, who has hit .339 and .332 in the last two seasons So who’s going to give Jensen support? Sophomore Katherine Rodriguez is someone who caught my eye. Although it was a small sample size, Rodriguez was able to post a .207 batting average and go yard on one of her six hits. A for the pitching side, it is a bit of a younger group, and I’m interested to see what they do on the mound. Look for senior Tiffany Kennedy-Cummings to play a big part on a very inexperienced pitching crew. Record Prediction: 15-25
Volleyball: Emily Sweeney: Quinnipiac volleyball is on the rise in the MAAC. Fresh off a MAAC championship round appearance, the Bobcats were picked second in the preseason poll - a far cry from a 9-21
record just two seasons ago. With a powerhouse right side hitter in senior Morgan Sherwin, along with junior outside hitter Maggie Baker, who both had over 200 kills in their 2019 season, the offensive attack line is going to be a powerful force in 2021. Also, look out for junior setter Nicole Migliozzi and junior libero Daniella Balsano, who will play large roles in gameplay and defense for this team. Kyle Robinson continues to work his magic since taking the helm in Hamden. Record Prediction: 8-2 Clever Streich: The volleyball team returns to the hardwood this spring, looking to improve on a 2019 season where they finished with a record of 14-16 and took a postseason run as far as the MAAC title match. Quinnipiac will be led by senior right side hitter Morgan Sherwin and junior outside hitters Maggie Baker and Olga Zampati. All three players each put up over 250 points in 2019, and will look to lead the Bobcats for their first winning record since 2016. The sky seems to be the limit for this year’s squad, as they look to finish the job this time around and bring home a title. Record Prediction: 7-3 theqbsn.com
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OPINION
Dreaming of a dynasty By Gage Kilborne
The 2019 Quinnipiac baseball team had the most successful season in school history by winning the MAAC tournament and winning its first NCAA tournament game in school history, as they upset the 10th national seed in Eastern Carolina. The Bobcats finished the season 30-29.
The COVID-19 pandemic ended the 2020 season abruptly while the team was starting to warm up, as they finished the season 3-11. The NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility for seniors who were not able to finish their spring sports, and many Quinnipiac players will be back for this season. A few familiar faces returning include Evan Vulgamore, Dylan Lutz, Andre Marrero, Derek Kasperzyk, and Kyle Horton. Quinnipiac will have a great chance at bringing home their second straight MAAC title this season, since the returning seniors have seen some championship success. They are, however, going to be facing some tough competition along the way. Canisius has a strong baseball program, and it’s looking to win its fourth MAAC title in 26
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the last eight years. The Golden Griffs finished the 2020 season 3-11-1 before its cancellation. Another tough competitor this season for the Bobcats will be 2019 MAAC runnerup Fairfield. The Stags will probably be wanting revenge from the 2019 championship game loss in 13 innings. The stags finished the year 2-9 before the pandemic shut down. The chance of this turning into a conference dynasty however, will not be officially decided until we see what the future holds for this team. And judging by the amount of seniors and graduate students that are playing, it will be more difficult for them to win a few years down the road. This season, however, I believe the baseball team will return to the NCAA tournament for their third appearance and second with the MAAC. In fact, they might be able to have enough talent to win another game in the tournament this year. The 2019 team finished the season batting .284 and with some of the top batters returning this season, there is no doubt that they will probably reach
these numbers again, and maybe even raise it, since they are only playing a 40-game conference schedule this season. If Quinnipiac does repeat as champions, it will be a historic season for both the school and conference. It would be the first time Quinnipiac has ever won the conference in backto-back seasons, and it would be the first time a MAAC champion has repeated since Manhattan did it back in 2011-2012. If Quinnipiac really wants to put its name in the record books and attempt the three-peat down the line, no team in the MAAC has done since Marist back in 2000-2002. Vulgamore, Lutz, and Colton Bender should be the most important players on John Delaney’s lineup card this year.Vulgamore is a returning grad student who is batting a .268 in his career at Quinnipiac, and his heavy bat and quick glove should be as impactful as ever. Lutz is also returning as a grad student, and he will have arguably the biggest impact on the team this season: he made the 2019 AllMAAC Tournament
Team, the 2019 NCAA Tournament East Carolina Regional All-Tournament Team, and has a career batting average of .294 with the Bobcats. With all of his success at Quinnipiac, the expectations are set high for 2021. Finally there’s Bender, one of the best hitting catchers in the MAAC, who currently holds a .303 batting average in three years with the Bobcats. In 2019, he had a breakout season, batting .322 and with a .429 slugging percentage. Bender was also placed on the 2019 Buster Posey Award Watchlist, which is given to the best catcher in the NCAA. With his impressive resume, you can bet to see Bender’s numbers stay where they were in 2019 or even improve this season Bender was put on the pre-season MAAC First Team. It’s been an awful long wait for the defending conference champions, but after almost two years, Quinnipiac will finally get to showcase its talent on a full MAAC schedule once more.
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