Box Score
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Despite a strong start, the LIU Brooklyn women's lacrosse team was defeated by Bryant at LIU Field on Friday afternoon, 16-9.
Junior Jesenia Cantres and freshman Jenn Peters each contributed two goals, while five other Blackbirds scored one apiece. Goalkeeper Alexis Maldonado had 13 saves.
"Our team had some good early looks at the cage; but when we started making some mistakes toward the tail end of the half, Bryant capitalized and took back momentum, " said head coach Allison Nuzzi. "Kudos for Bryant for getting the important runs in the game. We needed more possession time and we need more shots. Alexis made some great stops today and we as a team need to put it all together from start to finish."
LIU Brooklyn got off to a convincing start, scoring just 42 seconds into the game. A turnover from the Bulldogs near LIU's goal sent the Blackbirds back down the other way, as Peters found Mary McQueen to give LIU an early edge.
Bryant would not answer for another four minutes, tying the game after taking a couple of shots. The Bulldogs landed back on the board just a minute later, to go up 2-1.
Cantres caused a turnover with 22:16 left to play, as freshman Jenna Lasaponara picked up the ground ball. Senior Trisha Yeoell helped LIU to the successful clear and gave the assist to Peters, who tied the game at 2-2.
The Blackbirds would score again after a foul gave Yeoell the free position shot and subsequent goal. Both teams would fight for the ball, switching position several times before the Bulldogs found the equalizer at the 11:08 mark. A won draw control from freshman Mary McQueen put the ball back near Bryant's goal, and Peters had another assist, this time to freshman Danita Stroup to tie the game again.
Bryant showed its scoring prowess the rest of the first half, however, scoring five to go into the break 9-4.
The Bulldogs scored three goals coming out halftime before the Blackbirds would again, this time from Peters on a breakaway shot down the middle. LIU looked to mount its comeback, as junior Brittany Rader scored after a timeout on an assist from senior Kimberly Kovar to cut Bryant's lead to six.
Bryant answered with back-to-back goals, while junior Colleen Holmes added another for LIU on a free position shot. The Bulldogs scored two more and LIU closed the game with two goals of its own, both from Cantres.
The Bulldogs, the top team in the league at 6-0, clinched hosting duties for the Northeast Conference Championships with the win, while the Blackbirds fell to 1-5 in conference action.
Up next, LIU Brooklyn hosts Central Connecticut on Senior Day at LIU Field on Sunday, April 27 at 12:00 p.m.
"I am looking forward to another opportunity for the team this Sunday against CCSU," said Nuzzi.