BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The LIU Brooklyn field hockey team had a major program milestone on LIU Field Friday afternoon, beating Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opponent Fairfield, 2-1. The win was the first in program history for the Blackbirds, and also the team's first win in MAAC play ever. The two goals were also a season high for LIU.
 
Sophomore Molly Jannell was a force in net for LIU, registering a season high 15 saves, including stopping a penalty stroke in the second half that would have tied the game.
 
"After last weekend's loss, we really re-evaluated where we are as a team and what we needed to fix," head coach Kyle DeSandes-Moyer said. "The biggest thing was just our energy and effort. We didn't change much tactically, and just focused on our controllables. We are really happy with what we achieved tonight!"
 
The game was closely fought throughout. LIU would get on the board first, scoring a goal in the ninth minute of action. Sophomores Madi Cook and Skai Sprenkle combined to cross the ball in front of the net, where freshman Jenna Chrabolowski was waiting. Chrabolowski managed to flick the ball past the goalie to the right corner, putting the Blackbirds on top, 1-0.
 
Fairfield would turn up the heat offensively as the clock wound down, making four saves over a two minute period. But Fairfield would finally knock one in in the 28^th minute, scoring off a shot that had been saved and rebounded back into the circle to make it 1-1.
 
But LIU had the last word in the first half. With the time counting down, sophomore Madi Cook made a move. The midfield dribbled down the middle of the field and faked right to beat her defender. Crossing in front of the net, she took a long shot diagonally across the circle, hitting it past the Stags' goalie and putting LIU on top, 2-1.
 
The Stags would keep the pressure on in the second half, particularly as time wound down. Fairfield would be awarded a penalty stroke in the 56^th minute, but Jannell would make a huge save to keep LIU up. Jannell would also make four straight saves during a flurry in the 59^th minute that were crucial to the win.
 
LIU's defense continued to hold strong, making some big stops on the field, and keeping Fairfield from scoring, despite being out-shot 28-2.
 
With the win, LIU improves to 1-9 on the season, and 1-0 in the MAAC, while Fairfield is 2-8 overall, 0-1 in conference. Up next, LIU travels to take on Georgetown, Sunday, October 1 at 1 p.m.