Author Archive :

Sep
17
2015
| Features, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Women's college soccer | 9,349 Replies

Terrific transition

By Jordan Novack, Associate Sports Editor                Link to Original

For women’s soccer freshman Nadya Gill, the transition to college athletics has gone without an issue. In fact, it’s gone better than she might have imagined.

“Despite coming a long way from home, I have had a very easy time adapting to college,” Gill explained. “My teammates and coaches are like my family, and any problem I have had so far they have been able to help me figure out.”

The Toronto native, who won’t turn 18 years-old until Sept. 26, has scored three goals in her first five collegiate starts. All three of her goals were game-winners.

Despite her individual success, Gill is quick to pass the acclaim off to others.

“All of my success starts with the play of my teammates. They are so helpful communicating and [coach Dave Clarke] did an amazing job teaching us the system we play in so it has been effortless,” Gill said. “Our build-up play really begins with [Natalia Grodzki] in goal, works its way up through our talented midfield, and I am just lucky to be able to be up top and finish it.”

DSC_0193

Jordan Novack|Quinnipiac Chronicle                                 Gill runs towards the goal vs Siena 10/28/15

For Gill, this isn’t her first time making an instant impact for her team.

In 2013, at just 15, Gill played a major part in helping Team Canada bring home silver from the U17 CONCACAF tournament. In the tournament, the top teams from North and Central America, as well as from the Caribbean compete for a place in the World Cup.

Despite never starting for the team, Gill scored a goal in each of her four relief appearances. This time playing for the national team is an experience Gill will never forget.

“Having that experience playing for my national team was incredible, and really helped prepare me for many of the things I am dealing with now that I am at [Quinnipiac] University,” Gill said. “The feeling of playing and representing your country and knowing you have an entire nation of people is an incredible experience not many people get to have, and I feel beyond lucky to have experienced that in my life.”

It was this time playing for the national team that eventually put Gill on Quinnipiac’s radar. When it came to choosing schools, education was something that Gill really focused on.

“Nadya was a player we noticed in the Canadian national program as being undecided, but interested in coming to the United States,” Clarke explained. “When it came to her school, she wanted an Ivy League or somewhere very well respected because she wants to study law.”

With the school meeting Gill’s criteria, Clarke would use his connections in United States soccer to open the conversation with her and her national team coach.

“We reached out and talked to both her and her U17 coach, Brian Rosenfeld,” Clarke said. “And then she visited, took a look at the school, did some research and everything just fell into place.”

Gill has had instant success in her short tenure in a Bobcat uniform, but it isn’t a surprise in the eyes of coach Clarke.

“When you look historically at the best players in the history of the program—Furtuna Velaj, Sarah Lawler—they are all international players who hit the ground running,” Clarke explained. “When a good player is good, there is never an issue.”

“Like with Matt Peca and Sam Anas in hockey, if you are a good player you are a good player, and Nadya is a very good player.”

Sep
9
2015
| Features, Quinnipiac Chronicle | 14,165 Replies

Filling the Gloves

By Jordan Novack, Staff Writer                Link to Original

There are few challenges more daunting than following in the shoes of a legend.

After losing Borja Angoitia, who graduated last year, many people are wondering how men’s soccer will replace the reigning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Goalie of the Year.

“I don’t feel any pressure taking over for Borja [Angoitia], I’m here to make my own legacy,” Henry said. “While [Angoitia] was great and made major contributions to this team, I am the one wearing the No. 1 jersey and the gloves now, so whatever happens now is up to me.”Through his first three games of 2015 transfer Triston Henry looks well on his way to creating his own name as Quinnipiac netminder.

Henry looks well prepared to start a great career of his own in Hamden. At 6-foot-1, Henry possesses blink-of-an-eye quickness and the vocal ability to control the Bobcats’ defense. His playing style, as he puts it, is inspired by his favorite player: Juventus F.C. goalie and captain Gianluigi Buffon.

Nick Solari|Quinnipiac Chronicle

Nick Solari|Quinnipiac Chronicle

And looking past his skills on the field, Henry also has shown the ability to be a central part of a winning team. In his two seasons at Herkimer County Community College, he led the Generals to back-to-back National Championship victories. Henry’s true prowess in net was evident during the 2013 season, in which he allowed a mere four goals all season and was named an All-American.

“I take great pride in my time at Herkimer,” Henry said. “I was able to refine my game, and I learned what it takes to maintain a winning mentality. I want to bring this mentality with me, and hopefully win a couple more championships.”

Following his time in junior college, Henry transferred to the University of Connecticut. Unfortunately, Henry didn’t fit into UConn head coach Ray Reid’s plans, as he puts it. He didn’t play during the 2014 season.

Still, Henry feels his time in Storrs was a growing experience

“I had a good experience at UConn, even if it unfortunately didn’t work out the way I may have hoped,” Henry said. “While I was there I did learn a lot about myself as a person and as a player, and I hope to bring some of the professionalism of a program like UConn to Quinnipiac in my time here. We have to take every moment seriously and we will take our game to the next level.”

After last season, head coach Eric Da Costa saw an opportunity to bring Henry to Quinnipiac. Da Costa tracked Henry while back in his hometown of Toronto and followed his progress at Herkimer. Da Costa also got help from former Quinnipiac forward Raphael Carvalho, who also played at Herkimer.

“We are very happy to have landed a player who has been on our radar for such a long time,” Da Costa said.

Henry also credits Carvalho as the reason he is currently at Quinnipiac.

“While I was playing at Herkimer, [Carvalho] was one of my teammates,” Henry said. “After I decided I was going to leave UConn, he told me that Borja was graduating and the team needed a new goalkeeper, and everything just worked out perfectly from there.”

Henry has done plenty to justify Da Costa’s confidence in his short time here. In his first three games for the Bobcats, he has recorded a clean sheet and has stopped 22 of the 25 shots he has faced thus far.

“He has had an almost seamless transition,” Da Costa said. “By coming in during spring semester last year, he has had more time to adjust to his teammates, as well as get some game time in spring. Now that the season has started, the extra time Triston spent with his teammates is really paying off, as he looks super comfortable out there.”

So far this season, Henry’s play has been crucial to the Bobcats, who have had trouble scoring. In fact, Quinnipiac hasn’t scored yet in its first three games.

Perhaps his best performance to date came on Aug. 31, when he recorded a six-save shutout against UConn, his former team.

“[UConn] was a huge game on the schedule for me, and I am happy we got to get it out of the way early,” Henry explained. “While I obviously would have liked to win, I was happy with how we played and shutting them out felt great.”

There are huge expectations for the Bobcats this year. After a disappointing showing in the MAAC tournament last year, many expect them to not only contend in the tournament, but to finish with the regular season title as well.

If this scenario is to play out, it will be essential that Henry helps carry Quinnipiac to that point.

And if Triston Henry’s first few games are any clue, things are looking up

Apr
18
2015
| Features, Men's college lacrosse, Quinnipiac Chronicle | 8,144 Replies

Men’s lacrosse tops Monmouth

Bobcats clinch MAAC Tournament berth

By Jordan Novack, Staff Writer                Link to Original

Following a 9-7 victory at Canisius in its last game, the Quinnipiac men’s lacrosse team (4-7, 3-2 MAAC) looked set to clinch a trip to the MAAC Tournament on Saturday. First, they had to go through Monmouth (5-6, 2-2 MAAC).

Quinnipiac was successful, coming from behind to down the Hawks 9-8 in its final home game of the regular season.

“You have to be able to close the game if you want to be able to win a championship, you have to be able to play your best lacrosse at the end of the game, and I am incredibly proud of my boys today,” Fekete said.

After a ceremony honoring the senior class prior to the game, Monmouth came out looking to spoil the Bobcat’s special day during the first half. Despite goals from freshman Brian Feldman, senior Steve Bryant and junior Ryan Keenan, Quinnipiac found itself staring at a 7-3 deficit at the half.

Following the game, Quinnipiac head coach Eric Feteke spoke of how the scoreline wasn’t accurate of how his team had played in the first half.

“Two or three of the goals we gave up in the first half were flukes, coming off of deflections or other weird bounces, and we told them to keep following our game plan and eventually we will get our own bounces,” Feteke said. “They have done a really good job following the game plan the last three weeks, and I knew that they would be able to come through in the second half.”

Senior goalie Jack Brust then shutout the Hawks in the third and the Bobcats’ offense found new life. Led by goals from Matt Kycia and Nate Nibbelink, the team entered the fourth down two scores.

Thanks to quick goals from Matt Diehl and senior Michael Sagl, Quinnipiac pulled even for the first time in the game with 10 minutes left to play.

Sagl and Feldman then each scored their second goal of the game to put Quinnipiac up 9-7. A late goal wasn’t enough for Monmouth, as Quinnipiac secured the win and is headed to the playoffs.

“We’ve learned a lot, especially this year’s seniors,” Fekete said. “The key thing we learned is to play our best lacrosse in the last 30 minutes of the game, and that is what we did today.”

Now following their win the Bobcats clinched their spot in the MAAC tournament, something that the team missed out on last season.

“I have been miserable since this time last year, over 365 days I have had a monkey riding on my back,” Feteke explained, “I’m so glad to be back, and with the league as wide open as it is, we are right back where we belong.”

Quinnipiac will fly out to Colorado on Tuesday and prep for its final regular season game against Air Force in Falcon Stadium on Thursday.

Mar
25
2015
| Features, Men's college lacrosse, Quinnipiac Chronicle | 958 Replies

Outside the box

Three Canadian-born Quinnipiac lacrosse players adjust to a different style of lacrosse

By Jordan Novack, Staff Writer                Link to Original

Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the United States. According to the United States Lacrosse Association, more than 750,000 athletes are playing stateside as the sport continues to boom with schools adding teams.

In Canada, meanwhile, the same sort of boom has taken place, just in different form.

Many Canadian lacrosse players prefer to play a lacrosse variant called “indoor lacrosse,” instead of traditional field lacrosse.

In indoor lacrosse, sometimes known as “box lacrosse,” teams are only allowed to have six players on the field. as opposed to the traditional 11 in field lacrosse. The game also takes place in a court the size of a hockey rink.

For Quinnipiac men’s lacrosse players Ryan Keenan, Adam Bellamy and Riley Palmer, indoor lacrosse comes more natural than the type of lacrosse they play at Quinnipiac.

All three Canadian-born players started playing box lacrosse before they were 7 years old, and had to undergo certain adjustments to the United State’s version of the game.

Keenan explained his increased comfort in playing indoors as opposed to on a field.

“Growing up in Canada, indoor [lacrosse] is what we do better because it is what we have done longer, and it honestly just comes more naturally,” he said.

Keenan’s father is a former player and current head coach and general manager for the Edmonton Rush in the National Lacrosse League. The attackman admits that he is still adjusting to U.S. lacrosse.

“I am still learning how to play field [lacrosse] even now as a junior,” Keenan said. “We are normally taught to play in tight during box, so learning the spacings in field lacrosse is an adjustment.”

Bellamy, a freshman defender, played his junior indoor lacrosse as an attackman for St. Catharines Athletics. He attributes much of what he learned playing indoor lacrosse for where he is as a lacrosse player today, and says that playing box lacrosse provided some major advantages to his current game.

“It is definitely easier to switch to the bigger field, after playing a season of box [lacrosse],” Bellamy said. “The nets in field are a lot bigger than the ones used in box, so it is easier for you to pick your spots as a shooter. Also in box, the surface area is smaller and makes you have to play shiftier, so having the extra room to work in field is nice.”

Keenan added that there are many positive things that come from the transition.

“I think being able to play in tight spaces, which you learn playing box, helps you learn how to catch and finish in tighter spaces,” Keenan said. “That definitely helps you get recruited. Shooting on the smaller nets also makes it pretty exciting to go back to the bigger ones in spring.”

Palmer, a freshman midfielder, played his junior lacrosse alongside Keenan for the Whitby Warriors. He believes the experiences playing indoor helps give him a mental edge.

“We gain a mindset that the Americans don’t because most of us have been playing box since we were 5 or 6 years old,” Palmer explained. “[Box lacrosse] is just a little bit of a faster game, and growing up with it helps us gain some extra mental quickness.”

For Keenan and Palmer, their time with Whitby also represents a high point in their young lacrosse careers.

The Warriors won the Minto Cup in 2011, a 114-year-old junior lacrosse tournament in Canada. Keenan played during that season with future professional lacrosse players Mark Matthews and Zach Palmer, who is Riley’s older brother.

Then, in 2013, the younger Palmer joined Keenan and the Warriors, who went back to the Minto finals.

“That was without a doubt the highlight of my lacrosse career so far,” Keenan said with a smile on his face. “I am looking forward to going back with him this summer, and hopefully coming back with another cup.”

Feb
28
2015
| Quinnipiac Chronicle, Recaps, Women's college ice hockey | 11,608 Replies

Women’s ice hockey sweeps Princeton

By Jordan Novack, Staff Writer                 Link to Original

MLM04411-300x336

Following a 7-0 victory in the first game of ECAC Quarterfinals series against Princeton (15-13-2) the previous night, No. 6 Quinnipiac (25-7-3) looked to finish the series in Game 2 on Saturday afternoon at High Point Solutions Arena.

Quinnipiac did just that, downing Princeton 2-0 to move on to the ECAC Semifinals.

“We figured out [we] needed to improve on the little things, and we then we pulled it together against Princeton, arguably the hottest team in the ECAC going into the playoffs,” Quinnipiac head coach Rick Seeley said. “I’m very happy with how we played.”

The Bobcats started the game showing momentum from their previous win, outshooting the Tigers 11-3 in the first period. Shiann Darkangelo had her goal overturned with 4:03 left in the period, which would have given Quinnipiac a 1-0 lead.

Quinnipiac took advantage of a Princeton penalty early in the second, however, as Nicole Connery tucked a Taylor Cianfarano pass into the bottom right of the net for her 13th goal of the year.

Princeton goalie Kimberly Newell had 34 saves just a day after giving up seven scored to the Bobcats. Newell made an athletic grab of a would be Darkangelo goal in the second period.

“[Newell] came out and played an amazing game, and made the saves I expected her to make,” Connery said. “After playing with her in camps for years, a game like the first one surprises me. Today, she was catching all the saves she should make, as well as stopping ones with the smallest parts of her equipment that we thought should have gone in.”

Meanwhile, the Tigers were only able to manage to get off 11 shots in the last two periods of regulation. Nicole Brown scored her 3rd goal of the season with 12 seconds left, after Newell had been pulled, to secure a 2-0 win for the Bobcats.

“I thought we followed up yesterday’s game with a good effort, and we are real happy with a 2-0 win,” Seeley said. “When you run into slumps, you are never sure why. So we watched a lot of video, we actually showed them every goal we have scored this season, and how they made those happen.”

The game also marks Senior goalkeeper Chelsea Laden’s 16th shutout of the season. The number is already an ECAC best, surpassing Erica Howe of Clarkson’s previous record of 14.

Laden is now one shutout shy of tying former Minnesota goalkeeper Noora Räty’s record of 17 in one season. Additionally, it came in Laden’s final home game in a Quinnipiac uniform.

“There were a lot of emotions tonight,” Laden said, “I was very happy, and I couldn’t have been more proud of my team, and as a senior there is no other way I would have liked to end out my home career.”

Up next, the Bobcats prepare for No. 4 Harvard (25-5-3), the one team they have yet to defeat in ECAC play this season.

“We’ve played Harvard tough both times this year, and in both cases we were up one goal, and we gave up a weak goal relatively after.” Seely said.

“If we go up 1-0, it has to be a one-nothing game and we have to understand that. This is where we wanted to be this season, as part of the final four of the conference, and we are prepared for the two tough battles we have ahead of us.”

The Bobcats travel to Cheel Arena in Potsdam, New York to battle with the Harvard next weekend

Feb
11
2015
| Features, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Women's college ice hockey | 3,322 Replies

Shining Senior

By Jordan Novack, Staff Writer                 Link to Original

Nick Solari|Quinnipiac Chronicle

Nick Solari|Quinnipiac Chronicle

In just two years, Shiann Darkangelo has left her mark on the Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey program.

Despite spending her freshman and sophomore seasons at Syracuse University, the senior forward has helped elevate the Bobcats to new levels.

Last season, her first at Quinnipiac, Darkangelo registered 40 points. The total is the fifth highest in program history.

“She is part of a line that is a force for us,” Quinnipiac head coach Rick Seely said. “She’s driven, works hard, and her ability to forecheck and maintain control of the puck during battles is huge for us.”

Darkangelo said she didn’t know what to expect when she first got to Quinnipiac, and that she didn’t even know if she’d earn playing time prior to the start of the season.

“I didn’t feel like a rookie,” Darkangelo said. “So I knew what to expect somewhat, but I came in knowing I had to work hard and prove myself so that I would be able to even earn a place on the ice.”

Now, in her second season with the team, Darkangelo’s performance both in games and in the locker room has been a major factor in Quinnipiac’s rise to a No. 5 national ranking.

“On the ice [Darkangelo] is a big, dominant player who has been scoring consistently, and she has just been invaluable,” Seeley said. “Off the ice she has been a huge leader for us. To be voted [alternate] captain by her teammates and peers despite only being here for one season is a testament to the impact she has had on our program.”

On the ice, Darkangelo plays on the first line with junior Nicole Kosta and senior Erica Uden Johansson. The line has been a consistent force for the Bobcats on both ends of the ice, as the three players lead the team in plus/minus this year.

“I think with Kosta and UJ, we are a strong line that can be matched up against any team’s first line and keep them from scoring,” Darkangelo said. “For example, against Clarkson we were matched up with a first line that has several gifted scorers, and they didn’t get any points against us.”

Darkangelo also described the balance in the three player’s attributes, which she feels makes the line work well together.

“We have two big bodies between me and UJ, and then there is Kosta who always works hard on the ice,” Darkangelo said. “Now that we are starting to figure out where the others are going to be on the ice, our chemistry is continually improving.”

Despite being one of the team’s most well-rounded players, Seeley still sees areas in which Darkangelo can improve her game.

“She has to keep working on her game away from the puck,” Seely said. “She has improved as a shot blocker for us, she consistently wants to work on good movement and smart movement away from the puck, and is able to move the puck quickly.”

In Quinnipiac’s Jan. 30 game against Harvard, Darkangelo put her name in the program record books once again. With her second period assist, Darkangelo became the second player in team history to register 100 points for her career.

“During the game I had an idea it was my 100th point, but that was only because people kept telling me about it,” Darkangelo said. “I don’t like to be focused on that kind of thing. If I go out there thinking ‘oh I have to score,’ typically it doesn’t happen, because it turns into forcing it instead of playing my game, and although I wish we had won the game, it was still an exciting moment.”

One of the contrasts Darkangelo has noticed about Quinnipiac in comparison to Syracuse is the general atmosphere surrounding the program.

“While I don’t want to downplay the Syracuse program, [at Quinnipiac] there are more people willing to do extra and push me to put in the extra work,” Darkangelo said. “I feel that now with the heavier focus on hockey, I am more enabled to get to the next step.”

Growing up with five other siblings, Darkangelo’s competitive nature has been present since her youth.

“My brothers, sisters and I would always play soccer and other games in the backyard when we were younger, and that definitely made me pretty competitive,” Darkangelo said. “Now, even though my brother plays college football [at Ferris State], we train together when I’m home for summer. The competitive edge still comes out.”

The competitive relationship with her brother led to Darkangelo’s start in hockey, as well.

“My younger brother and I would always go and watch our cousins play high school hockey, and when my brother started to play, I thought, ‘hey I want to go do that,’ and I was one of the better players on the team,” Darkangelo said. “I played boy’s hockey until I was about 10 or 11, and then my dad started a team and I started to play travel hockey, and this helped me realize one day that ‘hey, maybe I could do this at a Division 1 level.”

Now, with just four games left before the conference tournament, Darkangelo and the Bobcats have big goals they hope to accomplish during the remainder of their season.

“We want to win the ECAC, and get a shot at the national championship, and I think that we are very capable of doing that. If you look at the rankings, they are very close, which makes it fair game, with only one game being able to change a season.”

In terms of her own play, Darkangelo just wants to help the Bobcats reach those goals in any way possible.

“Individually, I want to step up and continue to be a leader on this team, and do whatever it takes to help my teammates accomplish those two goals.”

Jan
23
2015
| Men's college basketball, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Recaps | 7,734 Replies

Hearst, Drame lead Bobcats past Manhattan on ESPNU

By Jordan Novack, Staff Writer                 Link to Original

In its first nationally-televised game of the season, the Quinnipiac men’s basketball team looked to leave a strong impression on the fans watching across the country.

And led by big games from Zaid Hearst and Ousmane Drame, the Bobcats scored big in a conference win over Manhattan.

In front of a sold-out crowd at the TD Bank Sports Center in Hamden, Quinnipiac’s defeated Manhattan 73-59 Friday night on ESPNU.

“That was a big win against an opponent we have a lot of respect for,” Moore said. “We have got a lot of guys sacrificing right now, so to get wins over respected opponents is important.”

Drame recorded 12 points, 4 blocks and 19 rebounds in the win. Hearst, meanwhile, led Quinnipiac’s charge offensively by scoring 23 points in the victory.

Nick Solari|Quinnipiac Chronicle

Nick Solari|Quinnipiac Chronicle               Hearst goes up for the layup over the Manhattan defender

The double-double was Drame’s 14th of the season, which is tied for tops in the nation.

“[Ous] was great, he’s got everything,” Quinnipiac head coach Tom Moore said. “He is in a good place right now. He’s not perfect, but when he plays with that energy level it’s inspiring. If his energy level is like that, his numbers will always follow.”

Emmy Andujar recorded 25 points and 12 rebounds for Manhattan, while Ashton Pankey had 18 points on the night.

“Andujar is a tough match up,” Drame said, “He is a three, two, and he plays the four position, he’s like a point forward. Strong, big bodied, overall he was a tough match up for us.”

The Jaspers remained in a smothering press defense on Quinnipiac all night, keeping the game close until the final minutes.

“We made a few dumb turnovers early in the second half trying to beat the press,” Hearst said. “But we did a good job adjusting, and figuring out how to beat their press and put up some points.”

After the game, Moore also spoke of how important point guard Kasim Chandler was in beating the Jaspers’ press.

“I know Kaz had the five turnovers but I loved his demeanor. We don’t win tonight if we don’t have his confidence in the full court,” Moore said. “You come at that guy in the open court, and he’s getting by you.”

Freshman Chaise Daniels contributed for the Bobcats with 11 points and three big blocks. Senior Evan Conti also added 12 points of his own off of the bench.

“Evan was great, you talk about a confident kid who never loses his will,” Moore said. “He’s had a tough stretch. He lost his starting spot, his minutes have been reduced, and I have him on a short leash, but he was ready in big spots.”

The Bobcats, now 11-8 on the season, square off with MAAC rivals Canisus (11-7) on Friday at the Koessler Athletic Center in Buffalo N.Y.

Dec
3
2014
| Features, Men's college ice hockey, Quinnipiac Chronicle | 1,291 Replies

First-line Phenom

By Jordan Novack, Staff Writer                 Link to Original

Sam Anas has hit the ground running as an underclassman at Quinnipiac.

This year, the sophomore forward is building on the momentum that began during his award-winning freshman season, where he earned the Tim Taylor Rookie of the Year award.

Following his freshman year, in which he led the team with 22 goals and 43 points, Anas has already recorded 10 goals and eight assists for a team-leading 18 points in the 2014-15 season.

Anas shared how he has been able to have such a smooth transition to the college game.

“I think the coaches have given me every opportunity I could have asked for, especially as a freshman,” Anas said. “I was able to play power-play [my freshman year], and play on a line with Connor and Kellen Jones. Now this year with [Matthew] Peca and Landon [Smith], I have just been surrounded with talented players.”

Additionally, Anas credits the two years he played amateur hockey for the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League as a key in his transition.

“I loved playing junior hockey,” Anas said. “It is a good transition between playing youth hockey and making the jump to college. Had I gone from youth straight to college it would have been very tough, but instead I was able to play in the same place for two years with great coaches.”

During his two-year stint in Youngstown, Anas scored 54 goals and recorded 43 assists for 97 total points in 155 games. He finished third in the league in goals during the 2012-13 season.

Jordan Novack|Quinnipiac Chronicle Sam Anas looks to move the puck vs UConn 11/17/15

Jordan Novack|Quinnipiac Chronicle                   Sam Anas looks to move the puck vs UConn 11/17/15

In a conversation about his leading scorer, Quinnipiac head coach Rand Pecknold reflected on what a special player Anas is, and how much he adds to the team.

“He is a highly talented player, who has a unique ability to create time and space for himself, but his biggest strength is his finishing,” Pecknold said. “There are players who can score goals in practice when you have the time and space with little to no pressure, but few thrive like him in game mode.”

Senior captain Matthew Peca, who centers the first line with Anas and Smith, talked about what it’s like to play with the second-year wing.

“[Anas] expects to score every night and he produces, it’s very fun to have him on your line,” Peca said. “You can always expect him to be open. He talks really well, you will always know where he is on the ice, and when he has the puck he makes plays.”

Peca added that Anas isn’t only a great scorer, but a great passer, too.

“He’ll pass through defenders sticks on feeds and you always have to expect the puck,” Peca said. “He is great with the puck; there are other players who won’t even try the things he can do.”

Peca said Anas is a leader off the ice, as well.

“He does a good job keeping the locker room loose, with little sayings and stuff, and he is just a great teammate,” Peca said. “I roomed with him on the road last year, and he is real easy going and a great team player.”

Anas first began playing hockey with his dad, Peter, early on in life. Peter played at the University of Western Ontario, and introduced the game to Anas at a very young age.

“[My dad] got me started when I was two years old shooting the ball around in the kitchen,” Anas said.

Nineteen years later, Anas’ talent is drawing NHL attention. In the past few summers, he has participated in developmental camps with the Washington Capitals, and most recently with the Montreal Canadiens.

Training with the Canadiens last summer was an “eye-opening experience,” he said.

“To go there and see all of the history there, and all of the Stanley Cups they have won, it is such a prestigious organization,” Anas said. “It really motivates me to make that jump to the NHL one day.”

Anas said that he doesn’t model his game after one specific player, but that he does enjoy watching Minnesota Wild left wing Zach Parise play because of his skill and hard-working attitude.

In addition, he idolizes New York Rangers right wing Martin St. Louis.

“He is a small guy who was undrafted out of college,” Anas said, “but has done everything people said he wouldn’t be able to do, and now he is going to be a Hall of Famer one day. He is a perfect role model for me.”

For Anas, he is looking to improve deficiencies in his game, while Quinnipiac as a whole has lofty goals set.

“As a player, I need to improve as a skater and I need to improve defensively,” Anas said. “As a team, we want to do everything. We want to win the ECAC regular season, the ECAC Tournament Championship, and hopefully the NCAA Championship, and just overall be the best team we can be.”

Nov
15
2014
| Men's college basketball, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Recaps | 8,483 Replies

Quinnipiac Men’s Basketball Wins Connecticut 6 Thriller

By Jordan Novack, Staff Writer                 Link to Original

Those in attendance at the TD Bank Sports Center on Saturday night for the Connecticut 6 Classic game between Quinnipiac and Yale got just what was advertized: a classic.

Lead by a career-high 35 points and 11 rebounds from senior captain Zaid Hearst and 13 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks from senior Ousmane Drame, the Bobcats defeated the Bulldogs 89-85 in double overtime at Lender Court.

“Actions speak louder than words, and I have named one captain in all seven of my years [at Quinnipiac],” Quinnipiac head coach Tom Moore said. “He played 49 minutes of a 50-minute game and still looks like the freshest guy out there. I hold him up on a pedestal. We have never had a kid who wants to win as much as Zaid Hearst, ever.”

For Hearst, performing in front of a crowd of more than 3,000 at The Bank had a huge effect on the outcome of the game.

“It was a great feeling having the student body and all of the fans out and supporting us,” Hearst said. “It was a big reason why we won tonight.”

Quinnipiac trailed 40-38 at halftime, despite 17 points from Hearst. Yale was led by point guard Javier Duren in the first 20 minutes, as he scored 18 points while Justin Sears added 10.

Following the break, Drame lead the way for Quinnipiac defensively, blocking five shots in the second half alone. Hearst scored 12 second-half points, while holding Sears to just two second-half points on the other end.

The Bulldogs, though, wouldn’t go down without a fight. Drame hit a shot to tie the game with 23 seconds left, and then blocked a shot with six seconds left to send things into overtime.

“[Drame is] at 75 percent of what he will be in two to three weeks coming off the meniscus,” Moore said. “He just needs to shake off a little bit more rust and learn to trust it a little bit more, which for some athletes, can be the toughest thing.”

Hearst missed a shot at the end of regulation, which sent things into overtime.

Nick Solari|Quinnipiac Chronicle

Nick Solari|Quinnipiac Chronicle                          Hearst drives towards the net with a defender in tow

During overtime, Moore elected to play senior Justin Harris.

“I had been sitting behind some of the best competition in Quinnipiac history in Ike Azotam and Ousmane Drame,” Harris said. “And after playing against that tough of competition day in and day out, when you finally get an opportunity it feels great to finally go out there and make a contribution.”

Harris played 20 important minutes, scoring 12 points and grabbing two rebounds.

Moore spoke of how Harris impressed him, and how it could impact his plans in the future.

“He earned a ton of trust from the head coach going into Tuesday‘s game against La Salle,” Moore said. “It was a really big night for him, and he really needed it.”

Following the game, NBA’s all-time three point field goal leader Ray Allen paid the Bobcats a special visit.

Quinnipiac hosts La Salle at the TD Bank Sports Center on Tuesday.

Nov
12
2014
| Features, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Women's college ice hockey | 1,965 Replies

League Leader

Women’s ice hockey goaltender Chelsea Laden tops NCAA Division I with a .974 save percentage this season

By Jordan Novack, Staff Writer                 Link to Original

After starting the season ranked No. 10 in the country, the Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey team has now risen to No. 5 and continues to build momentum.

While many factors have contributed to the Bobcats’ 7-0-1 start, few can argue the play of senior goalie Chelsea Laden, as well as the team’s defense, have been a driving force to its success this year.

Laden, the ECAC Hockey Goalie of the Month in October, has been reliable in net for the Bobcats all season. Laden has gone 7-0-0 in seven starts, posting an 0.29 goals against average.

Laden tops all of Division I women’s ice hockey goalies with a .974 percent save percentage on the season. She is also leading the nation with five shutouts, which is the fourth most shutouts in a season by any goalie in Quinnipiac program history.

The Bobcats currently own a nation-leading 0.38 goals against average, which Quinnipiac head coach Rick Seeley credits to Laden’s dependability in net all season.

“Chelsea had a great year last year, but when she wasn’t on, and she gave up a poor goal, she would get in her own head and usually let up another soon after,” Seeley said. “This year, she has overcome that, and has yet to allow a bad goal all year.”

Laden also notes the growth in confidence that both she and her team have undergone since last season.

“I feel like our team is a lot more confident this year,” Laden said. “We are making the right plays at the right time, and we are more focused into the little details of the game. Our team is also buying into the system more, and since we’ve been winning all it has done is add to our confidence.”

Laden and the Bobcats are coming off a record-setting game, recording the first shutout win in program history at Cornell, which was also the first time Cornell had been shut out at home since Nov. 17, 2006.

“I actually had no idea about that statistic until I saw it posted after the game,” Laden said. “I think it shows how far we have come as a team to be able to go and shut out a program like Cornell, who has been ranked for as long as I can remember. Little accomplishments like this just continue to add to our confidence.”

Despite the individual statistics and acclaim that has been coming her way, Laden remains humble, crediting those in front of her for such success.

“People are talking about the stats recently, which I don’t think is indicative of anything spectacular that I am doing or of how I am playing,” Laden said. “I think it is more of a result of how amazing and consistent our team has been playing, and I feel so blessed to be the goalie for such a dominant and disciplined team.”

Moving forward, Laden hopes to remain a consistent force in net for the Bobcats.

“I want to stop all of the easy shots, most of the hard shots and some of the impossible shots I face,” Laden said. “Whether I am facing 14 shots or, maybe someday I’ll get 30 shots, I want to be able to be consistent so I can give back to the team seeing as they have given so much to me.”

And for Seeley, Laden’s consistency has been key in the evolution of her game.

“She is doing a great job learning from her mistakes and maturing, and becoming the goalie we now see.”

And on a grander scale, Laden also offered up insight into the team’s goals for the rest of the season. The Bobcats would like to win the ECAC, Laden says, and advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.

“Reaching the national tournament is something that has always been a goal for us, and this year we have become a step closer to reaching that goal,” Laden said. “Last year we had the talent, we only had six losses, but we also had a lot of ties, and we learned that amping up our game that much more can boost us into the national tournament, even though it will take a lot of hard work and consistency to get us there.”

Laden and the Bobcats look to continue their winning streak as they hosts Rensselaer at High Point Solutions Arena on Friday at 7 p.m.