PITTSBURGH — Quinnipiac met with the media Friday morning for the final time heading into Saturday’s national title game against Yale. The Bobcats are 3-0 against their closest rivals this season.
Here’s some of what they were saying:
“I think some of them read the stories and were a little shocked. They didn’t know how far we had come. But that’s OK. We’ve had building blocks all the along the way from our early Division II and Division III years … and in our early years in the MAAC. It’s been a steady progression all the way up.” — Coach Rand Pecknold on if his players knew how far the program has come.
“It couldn’t have happened at a better time for me and in such a pivotal game. But I think it’s more than just the team aspect of it being able to score in a game like that to help your team.” — Forward Jeremy Langlois on getting his 100th career point against St. Cloud State.
“I think the fact that it’s a rivalry game is irrelevant. Right now both teams are competing for a national championship, and that’s kind of what comes first. Obviously, they are our rivals but I don’t think anyone’s thinking about that. They’re thinking about winning a national championship.” — Forward Jordan Samuels-Thomas on facing Yale.
“I guess it’s just confidence. The Atlantic City weekend they didn’t seem to have a lot of confidence and they didn’t have their best weekend.” — Pecknold on what has led to Yale’s turnaround after getting shut out in both games at Boardwalk Hall.
“I’m not going to say they feed off me in particular. I think anytime someone goes out there and works had and makes a play, I think that rallies the guys. I know if I see Jeremy or [Matthew] Peca and they make a great play, I want to go out there and do the same. So guys can really around me if that’s what it takes for that night or [Eric] Hartzell or Jeremy. I think our team is so deep that anyone can have that position, and just last night it happened to be me.” — Samuels-Thomas on his goals giving a big lift to the team.
