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BROOKLYN, N.Y - The LIU Brooklyn women's lacrosse team hosts its Northeast Conference opener this Friday, April 3, as the Blackbirds take on Sacred Heart at 4:00 p.m. at LIU Field.
LAST TIME OUT
LIU Brooklyn closed out its nonconference schedule with a 17-11 victory over Saint Mary's on Monday. Leading scorer Jenn Peters had six goals in the victory, while Mary McQueen added three. The Blackbirds managed 34 total shots and picked up 25 ground balls while only committing 17 turnovers in their fourth win of the season, which breaks a program record for non-league victories.
ABOUT THE BLACKBIRDS
Peters has proven herself to be one of the nation's top goal-scorers, averaging 4.44 goals per game which ties her for first in the NCAA rankings. Her 5.56 points per game also puts her at the top of the list with just one other athlete. She also leads the NEC by more than 1.00 goals. Freshman Dale Cosgrave is one of the NEC's top assist-makers, averaging 2.00 per game to rank second in the conference. Sophomore Tori Shinkowitz is third in draw controls and caused turnovers per game, and newcomer Carlie Robinson is third with 2.89 ground balls per game.
LIU Brooklyn will be a team to watch on offense heading into the conference season, averaging 13.78 goals per game, and 19.33 points per game, which is second in the conference, while holding the best shot percentage at 0.492. The Blackbirds win 12.44 draw controls per game and pick up 18.67 ground balls, while causing 10.56 turnovers. LIU will look it win its first-ever match against the Pioneers, who lead the series dating back to 2003.
ABOUT THE PIONEERS
Sacred Heart finished its nonconference season with a similar 4-5 record. Their last win was also against Saint Mary's, by a score of 15-3. The Pioneers are one of three teams in the conference that average under 10 goals a game, and are ranked eighth with 6.88, while taking the least amount of shots. Sacred Heart also commits the most turnovers of NEC squads, at 18.50, but are right behind the Blackbirds with 9.62 caused turnovers and 16.12 ground balls.
Caitlin Delaney is the leading scorer for the Pioneers with 17 points on 11 goals and six assists.Her 3.12 ground balls per game ranks her second in the conference. Goalkeeper Kelly Keenan has the second-best goals against average in the conference as well, with 9.71.
UP NEXT
LIU Brooklyn returns to the field next week to start four-straight away games, beginning with Central Connecticut on Friday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m.