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Six Straight for Women’s Soccer

Eirik Bjorno
Staff Writer

The LIU Post women’s soccer team finished the week with two strong wins against Mercy College and the University of Bridge¬port. The perfect week gives the Pioneers six consecutive wins and an overall record of 9-1-1.

On Wednesday, October 3, the women’s soccer team traveled to Dobbs Ferry, New York, to take on Mercy College. The Pioneers started the game strong, creating some huge opportunities, but failed to put the ball in the back of the net. The Pioneers held a 16-10 shot advantage and a 7-3 edge in corner kicks. Nevertheless, the two halves of regulation ended scoreless.

Neither team was able to put the game away in the first overtime, but freshman mid¬fielder Hanna Westerling won the game for the Pioneers after a cross from junior forward Alexa Niciforo in the second overtime. Westerling stayed composed on the cross, and chipped the ball over the Mercy goalkeeper to solidify the win.

“It was one of the best feelings I have had in college to see Hanna (Westerling) score that goal and give us the win in double overtime,” sophomore midfielder Heidi Eikeland said after the game.
The Pioneers continued on their road towards a perfect week as the team hosted the University of Bridgeport on Saturday, October 6. The Pioneers started the game strong, as Westerling found top scorer and freshman forward Susanne Vistnes in front of the goal to give the Pioneers the lead early on. Vistnes then returned the favor, by finding Niciforo in front of the goal for the Pioneers’ second of the evening. Vistnes scored the final Pioneer goal, yet again off a great ball from senior captain Prudence Rydstrom, giving the Pioneers a three-goal edge going into halftime.

Bridgeport would go on to score a goal in the second half, but it was not enough as the Pioneers won by a score of 3-1.

The game against Bridgeport was also a game between the top two teams in the conference. Sophomore midfielder Lina Harle was ecstatic after the Pioneers put themselves in the driver seat in the conference.

“It was a great win for us, and so important, as it puts us ahead of Bridgeport in the conference,” Harle said after the game. The Pioneers improved to 5-0 in the conference, while Bridgeport dropped to 4-1 in the number two spot. The Pioneers have earlier said that winning the conference is one of the team’s goals for this season. “We want to play the conference championship game, and after today’s performance, I feel we have a good chance of getting there,” she said.

The Pioneers have three conference games left in regular season play, but will host Wilmington University on Wednesday, October 11, for a non-conference game. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.

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