Quinnipiac Aims to 'Test Your Will' on Game Day

Mason Poli could see some good things last season as his Quinnipiac team navigated a 7-7 campaign that ended in late April.

The Bobcats beat Brown in February and eventual MAAC tournament champion Marist in March. But reaching that level on a weekly basis? That was more of a challenge, with a 29-19 loss to the Red Foxes in the Metro Atlantic quarterfinal.

“We had some lulls as well where we got a little too excited [about] how we looked and didn’t perform and didn’t show up on some Saturdays,” Poli said. “This year, our goal was just consistency. We know what we can do; let’s perform at that maximum output at all times. That’s what we’re starting to see.”

Quinnipiac owns another victory over Brown and is coming off a 13-10 triumph at Bryant. The Bobcats are 3-0 for the first time since 2013 thanks to a blend of experience and a breakout star in the cage.

Mason Oak came into the year with 38 minutes of college experience, none of it last year. He leads the country in saves per game (17.7) and save percentage (.654) and is the only Division I goalie with a pair of 19-save games.

“With his ability to get the ball out, we’ve created a lot more transition from the defensive end,” Poli said. “But it’s been great to see him grow and really get some confidence. He’s not the biggest guy stature-wise, but you definitely hear and feel him out there.”

While the back end has improved thanks to both experience and a bolstered defensive midfield unit, Quinnipiac is banking on balance to carry it on offense. The Donnery twins — Dylan (nine goals, three assists) and Ryan (six goals, seven assists) — are among the tested players who are joined by Steve Germain (six goals, six assists), John DeLucia (eight goals, three assists) and others.

Together, they’ve helped the Bobcats shoot a blistering 39.8 percent, good for fourth in the country behind Duke, Notre Dame and Cornell.

“All six starting offensive guys are seniors or fifth years,” Poli said. “Even in that second midfield unit, a very veteran group. Just a lot of confidence. There’s a lot of guys who understand what we’re trying to do. It’s like having 12 extra coaches out on the field, and they’re able to see what the defense is giving us. They’re able to talk and communicate. Before it comes out of my mouth, they’re already saying it.”

Quinnipiac enters March (and Saturday’s trip to Merrimack) as one of nine undefeated teams in Division I, joining a group that also includes Army, Denver, Duke, Harvard, Maryland, NJIT, Virginia and Yale.

The Bobcats still have questions to answer, particularly with a young faceoff group Poli believes will improve as the season unfolds. But there is absolutely no uncertainty about Quinnipiac’s methodical approach and the success it has yielded so far.

“We’re going to try to throw as many punches as we can at our opponent,” Poli said. “As much as we may want to set our guys up for their strengths, we don’t want to put the defenders in their strengths as well. Let’s get them all over the field. If they have a guy that likes to cover X, let’s put him on the crease, let’s put him on the backside. Let’s change his responsibility, and I think our guys understand that concept. We’re going to test your will.”