BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The LIU Brooklyn field hockey team has just two games remaining in the regular season, and the Blackbirds are still in contention to qualify for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament. LIU has its final MAAC game Friday, October 27 at 7 p.m., traveling north to face off against Sacred Heart; a win against the Pioneers would clinch LIU's spot in the standings, and send the Blackbirds to the postseason tournament for the first time ever.
The Blackbirds will also play one final game on LIU Field, hosting Davidson, Sunday, October 29 at 11 a.m.
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
Sacred Heart enters the weekend 6-11 overall, and 2-2 in the MAAC. The Pioneers will take on Fairfield in the final game of the year Sunday. SHU beat Siena (3-1) and Bryant (2-1) for their two conference wins, but have had close losses to the other teams in the MAAC.
Senior midfielder Nichole Tolli is the team's leading point scorer, with six goals and four assists this season. Freshman Bridget LaRiccia is second, with four gals this season. Freshman goalie Hailey Power has seen most of the minutes in the net, and has tallied a .734 save percentage in four wins, along with 80 saves so far this season.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Davidson is 1-15 this season, and will take on No. 21 Saint Joseph's Saturday before coming to downtown Brooklyn. The Wildcats' lone win this season was a 2-1 decision over Saint Louis last week.
Senior midfielder Hannah Fisher is the leading scorer for Davidson, with seven goals so far this year. Senior Anna Brewer and junior Courtney Byler lead the team with five assists, while the rest of the team's scoring is spread out over seven other players. Sophomore Sarah Zeszotarski holds it down in the net for the Wildcats, and has a .725 save percentage this season, with a 2.98 goals against average.
UP NEXT
Should the Blackbirds qualify, the 2017 MAAC Field Hockey Championship will be hosted by the highest-seeded full MAAC member. The semifinals will take place on Friday, November 3, followed by the Championship game on Sunday, November 5.