Box Score
BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Sophomore midfielder Tanner Sica registered six shots, including two on goal, but it was not enough, as the LIU Brooklyn men's soccer team fell in its home opener to Atlantic-10 foe George Washington, 2-0. The Blackbirds had six different players with shot opportunities on Friday night.
Jonny Forrest started off the action for the Colonials, registering the first shot on goal of the night a minute into the game. LIU Brooklyn senior goalkeeper John Connolly was able to make the save. A minute later, junior forward David Nuernberg posted the first shot for the Blackbirds, landing just wide of the goal.
In the fourth minute, Forrest struck again, this time landing a goal from 15 yards out on the right side on assist Bailey Hinners and Tyler Renalli, to put George Washington up 1-0.
The Blackbirds quickly fought back, registering six shots within the next three minutes, including four from Sica. The sophomore was able to a position on goal, but George Washington keeper JP van der Merwe was there to grab the ball. Moments later, a shot freshman forward Nathan Stewart hit the post, while another attempt from Sica sailed high.
Sophomore midfielder Nahuel Medina took a corner kick 10:26 into the game to give Sica another chance. Junior forward Brice Merwine was able to take the rebound from the block shot and return it just wide of the goal. Sica then took another shot, also wide, a minute later.
The Colonials were able to take five more shots in the next 25, before a through ball from Sam Summerlin allowed Ross Higgins to score George Washington's second goal of the night into the far post from eight yards down the right side in the 42nd minute.
In the second half, LIU came out with a vengeance, leading the Colonials in shots 6-4. Nahuel Medina posted a shot in the 52nd minute, while the Blackbirds had a golden opportunity in the 63rd minute after a foul on George Washington allowed for a free kick 25 yards from the goal. Sica split a wall of four Colonial defenders with his shot, but van der Merwe was able to make the save.
LIU Brooklyn also made a push in the 79th minute, as junior forward David Nuernberg registered his first shot on goal of the night, before the Blackbirds regained posession of the ball to lead to a corner kick from Medina. Another shot from Sica hit the post for Nuernberg to return the ball again into the hands of van der Merwe.
The Colonials held a 14-13 shot advantage throughout the 90 minutes, while Connolly made five saves.
The Blackbirds take the rest of the weekened off before returning to LIU Field on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 6:00 p.m to take on La Salle. LIU Brooklyn then makes the short trip to Riverdale to face Manhattan on Friday for a 7:00 p.m. tilt.