BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The LIU Brooklyn women's lacrosse team capped off its nonconference schedule with a 17-11 win over Saint Mary's on Monday afternoon. With the victory, the Blackbirds broke a program record for most non-league victories in a single season, with four.
"It's always a great day when you take care of business at home," LIU Brooklyn head coach Allison Hanley said. "Saint Mary's definitely challenged us at times but we have a goal to go on runs of our own and win the ground ball war which is exactly what we did today. "
Current Northeast Conference Player of the Week Jenn Peters scored six goals, while sophomore Mary McQueen chipped in three. Sophomore Tori Shinkowitz, who earned Defensive Player of the Week honors, picked up five ground balls and caused six turnovers.
The Blackbirds got out two a strong start, scoring four straight goals in the first seven minutes before the Gaels could even take a shot. Saint Mary's got on the board with 21:46 left in the first, but Peters struck back with two goals in the next 30 seconds to keep LIU up by five.
McQueen would lengthen the lead to six, until the Gaels scored five in a row to close the Blackbird's lead to just one. Peters and freshman Carly Weiss would cushion LIU with a three-goal lead until 6:12 in the first, when the Gaels scored their seventh of the day.
Shinkowitz and McQueen would each score again in the remainder of the first, with Saint Mary's finding the back of the net in the last 44 seconds, as LIU went into halftime up 11-8.
Peters was the first to strike in the second half, but both teams traded goals to keep LIU's advantage at three in the first 13 minutes of play. The Blackbirds fourth their rhythm and increased their lead to five with goals from freshman Christina Zolezzi and Peters. Saint Mary's would score once more, while Peters and Weiss added two more goals to close out the game at 17-11.
The Blackbirds led in shots, 34-25, as well as ground balls, 25-19. LIU only committed 17 turnovers to compared to the Gaels' 28.
"Tori and Jenn stepped up and played like the reigning attacker and defenders they are," Hanley said. "They dig and find ways to put us in a position to win. I was also impressed with Mary McQueen and Sierra O'Connor with their contributions on both ends today. "Carly Weiss has been playing steady, but had a true breakout game this afternoon and we hope she can carry that confidence into conference later this week."
LIU Brooklyn opens NEC play this Friday, April 3 when the Blackbirds host Sacred Heart at 4:00 p.m. at LIU Field.