KENNESAW, Ga. - For the second straight contest, the LIU Brooklyn women's lacrosse team went down to the wire with an opponent in its spring break trip down south. And unfortunately for the Blackbirds, a last-minute goal by the opposition led to another tough defeat as Kennesaw State scored with 1:22 remaining in regulation to give the Owls an 11-10 victory on Tuesday evening.

Sophomore Jenn Peters led the offensive attack for LIU, registering three goals and a pair of assists while classmate Mary McQueen chipped in with two goals and an assist.

The Blackbirds got off to a fast start, opening up a 6-2 lead after freshman Dale Cosgrave scored with just under eight minutes left in the opening half. LIU dominated for much of the period, outshooting Kennesaw State, 16-8, while forcing 12 Owls turnovers.

But the home squad was able to keep it close thanks to eight saves by Allison Senft, including one right before intermission on freshman Sierra O'Connor that kept the margin at 7-4 heading into the break.

Following halftime, the Owls pulled to within one on a goal by Taylor McGhee at the 23:29 mark. The Blackbirds came right back with a free-position goal from Peters with 15:50 left in the second half to put the score at 9-7.

Two quick goals just 33 seconds apart brought Kennesaw all the way back to even, 9-9, as the game approached the 10-minute mark. LIU Brooklyn had three opportunities to re-take the lead in the ensuing 5:21, including a pair of free-position opportunities that Sheft was able to deny.

The stout goalkeeping proved important, as the Owls took their first lead of the game with just 3:40 on the clock when Monica Albertson found the back of the net. The Blackbirds fought right back, and sophomore Tori Shinkowitz came through with the equalizer a little over a minute later to knot the contest at 10-10.

The all-important draw control went in favor of LIU, but a turnover gave the ball to the Owls and Albertson took advantage with another go-ahead goal with just 1:22 to go. Leading by one, Kennesaw State appeared to have iced the game when the draw control was pulled down by Laura Jordan.

LIU Brooklyn did not give up, however, and freshman Carlie Robinson came up with an important ground ball with less than 30 seconds left. A foul on KSU set up a chance for the Blackbirds in the closing moments, but Peters was denied by Senft with just two seconds left as the Owls preserved the win.

For the game, LIU outshot KSU, 29-18, and forced 20 turnovers while committing just 12. But Senft and free-position chances were the difference, as the goalkeeper denied 15 attempts by the Blackbirds and the Owls converted 10 of their 15 free-position attempts to just two for LIU.

The Blackbirds round out their southern trip with a contest against Campbell on Saturday, March 14 at 1:00 p.m.