HAMDEN, CT--Sophomore Olivia Mobley was ablaze with a sizzling hat-trick performance to spark the undefeated Quinnipiac University Bobcats to a commanding 9-1 victory over Long Island University at the People's United Center.
Mobley struck twice -- one unassisted to open the scoring --in the first period. She then added her memorable goal midway through the second period as part of a sensational all-around Friday evening performance by the Quinnipiac skaters.
The "hattie" was a career-first for Mobley, who added an assist for a four-point showing to open October play.
Alexa Hoskin and Lexie Adzija also came up huge with a pair of goals for the Bobcats, who face the visiting Sharks again Saturday (Oct. 2) in a 3 p.m. matinee.
Hoskin contributed her second goal of the game and fourth already this season less than a minute into the second period with a one-time wrist shot while streaking in from the right side.
"It was kind of unreal," said Mobley, who noted she didn't score her first goal last season until around the halfway point.
Of her third goal, the member of the 2021 ECAC All-Rookie Team noted that it was pretty much a blur.
"Somehow (the puck) ended up on my tape and I just fired it at the net hoping for the best," said Mobley, who credited Adzija with setting up the shot.
Adzija, who had the primary assist on Mobley's third goal, was thrilled to have been in the right place at the right time for the feed to her linemate.
"It was pretty awesome to be a part of that," said Adzija, a senior. "Olivia was very, very excited and we were all caught up in the moment."
A little out of synch during the initial 10 minutes of play, including a stretch that actually saw LIU tie the contest shortly after Mobley's first goal 3:39 into the game -- Quinnipiac (3-0) found its stride with precision and purpose.
Shot stratosphere
Sadie Peart and Renee Saltness also scored for the Bobcats, whose defensive awareness limited the Sharks to only 10 shots over the first 50 minutes and 12 total in the contest.
The protection in front of Corinne Schroeder was a key reason for the low shots against the Quinnipiac goaltender.
At the other end of the ice, the Bobcats' attack was relentless with one solid chance after another en route to a 52-shot assault on net.
Mobley, who hails from St. Louis Park, Minnesota, got the scoring spree started when she picked up a loose puck inside the right circle and found an opening past Long Island University goalie Kenzie Harmison.
Again streaking down the right side for goal number two, Mobley was the recipient of a super cross-ice pass from Taylor House. She completed her hat-trick effort as Adzija provided the nice feed midway through the second period.
The power play played a critical role in Quinnipiac's ability to take charge as Mobley and Hoskin each scored on the man advantage to make it 3-1 after 20 minutes. The Bobcats added three more in each of the second and third periods.
A workhorse line
Head coach Cassandra Turner has seen firsthand Mobley's progress and feels that all her hard work and conditioning in the off-season is already paying off.
"She's strong, she's fast and she's ready to battle; that showed tonight," coach Turner said. "Yes she finished, but the way she pressures the puck and the kind of pace she's playing with is outstanding."
Coach Turner loves the way the chemistry is developing between Mobley, Adzija and Jess Schryver on that particular line.
"It's nice to have her with (Adzija) and (Schryver) because they are very similar players and they want to figure out just how good they can become," Turner said. "They have that drive you look for and it's nice to see them connecting."
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