By Thomas Scavetta
Assistant Sports Editor
On Wednesday, April 8, the women’s lacrosse team knocked off Dowling College in an 11-4 triumph at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium in Brookville, N.Y.
This East Coast Conference showdown was choppy throughout all sixty minutes. Dowling piled up the fouls early on with yellow cards on junior midfielder Allie Merrill and senior attacker Jackie Andersen. However, the Pioneers couldn’t take advantage as they trailed 2-1 in the opening moments of the contest.
It wasn’t long until the hosts found their footing though. After sophomore attacker Stefani Vagelatos had a shot ricochet off the left pole, the Pioneers continued to attack and scored on an Emily Delaney goal, assisted by junior midfielder Kaitlin Gaghan.
LIU Post continued to string tallies together as they went on a four-goal run to carry a 5-2 edge into halftime. Sophomore midfielder Cara Douglas, senior midfielder Jenna Pierro, and Vagelatos all found the back of the net during the stretch. Delaney dished out the final score of the half to Vagelatos with just 8.5 seconds remaining in the first stanza.
Midway through the second half, the Green and Gold would extend their advantage to 8-3, with two goals from Pierro and one from Douglas. Shortly thereafter, the Golden Lions were slapped with their third yellow card of the game.
But, the visitors weren’t done yet, as sophomore attacker Katie Meinecke scored off a helper from Andersen to make the score 8-4, at the 19:49 mark. From there on, it was all LIU; as they went on to score the final three markers. Pierro delivered the knockout punch with 1:09 remaining, scoring her fourth goal of the game on a free-position shot to give the Pioneers an 11-4 victory.
Two-time East Coast Conference goalie of the week, Olivia Kirk, was a force in the cage, making seven saves for LIU Post. The hosts outshot the opposition 29-16 and converted 12-of-14 clears. Pierro won six draw controls and scooped up three ground balls, in addition to her four goals. Delaney and Vagelatos each had three points for the Pioneers.
Head Coach Meghan McNamara and her Pioneer squad traveled down to Washington D.C. on Friday, where they decimated their new ECC foe, the University of the District of Colombia, in a 20-2 blowout at Woodrow Wilson High School.
In the first ever meeting between the two teams, the Pioneers overwhelmed the Firebirds in the first half, holding a commanding 15-1 lead into the break. Vagelatos scored four goals and Pierro recorded three tallies and two helpers in the first 30 minutes of action.
LIU Post continued to strike in the second half, as sophomore attacker Brianna Gibbons and red-shirt freshman attacker Andrea Ferncsik each scored their first collegiate goals. The Green and Gold dominated in the shot count (40-2), as their defenders, led by Bird, Gaghan, and junior Brittany Smith, had the hosts on lockdown for the entire game. Smith and Bird both won six draws and secured three ground balls.
LIU Post will return to the field on Saturday, April 18, when they play host to St. Thomas Aquinas College, in a match-up at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium. McNamara and her team look to remain undefeated in ECC action. Game time is scheduled for noon.
Be First to Comment