BROOKLYN, N.Y.— The LIU Brooklyn field hockey team opens up its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference slate this weekend. The Blackbirds travel to Monmouth on Friday, October 5 before closing the weekend at LIU Field on Sunday, October 7 against Rider.
LAST TIME OUT
The Blackbirds closed a three-game homestand last Sunday with a 9-1 loss to La Salle. First-year midfielder Eva van Wakeren got LIU on the board first with her goal in the 16th minute off the feed from sophomore Jenna Chrabolowski. The Explorers would apply constant pressure on offense scoring nine unanswered goals to take the non-conference battle.
MAAC ACTION
The Blackbirds will look to follow up a success 2017 season in conference play that saw a second place regular season finish with a 4-2 record and a MAAC Tournament berth. LIU went 3-0 at LIU field in MAAC play including one goal victories over Fairfield and Bryant.
As the MAAC slate begins its full swing, LIU has several players among the leagues best. Junior Molly Jannell leads the league in saves with 95 in 11 games and ranks second with a 8.64 saves per game average. Junior Haley Ballard ranks second in the MAAC with two defensive saves on the year.
van Wakeren paces the conference with 2.91 shots per game and is tied for the league lead with seven goals on the season. Her team-leading 15 points on the season rank sixth among the league leaders and just two points from the leading point scorers.
SCOUTING THE HAWKS
Monmouth enters Friday's contest 6-5 and 1-0 in the conference after a 2-1 win over Rider last Friday. The Hawks are rolling as well, riding a four-game winning streak into the weekend. Georgia Garden Bachop is the team's leading goal scorer with seven goals in just seven games. She also leads the team with 15 points alongside Kelly Hanna. Gabi Millan has been the team's primary starter in goal, posting a 2.12 goals against average.
SCOUTING THE BRONCS
Rider also enters the weekend 6-5, coming off wins a pair of wins over Lock Haven and VCU. The Broncs boast the leagues top scoring offense, averaging 2.84 goals per game in 10 contests. Tess Coorens is the leading scorer for Rider with a MAAC leading 17 points on the season. She leads the team with seven goals to go along with three assists. Julia Divorra also leads the MAAC in assists with six helpers in just eight games. The Broncs also have strong play in goal as Lena Vandam leads the league with four shutouts on the season.
UP NEXT
LIU hits the road next weekend to take on Hofstra on Sunday, September 14 at 12:00 p.m.