BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The LIU Brooklyn women's lacrosse team had one of their strongest efforts of the season Sunday morning on LIU Field, but fell just short to league-leader Bryant, 13-9. The Blackbirds trailed by just one goal at the half, and rallied back in the second half to close the gap once more, before the Bulldogs put the game out of reach for good. With the loss, LIU moves to 3-9 overall, and 0-3 in the NEC.
 
The Blackbirds had one of their strongest starts this season, taking it to Bryant right from the opening whistle. After senior Candice Mosal won the first draw, LIU's offense kicked into gear. Sophomore Bianca Santucci and senior Sierra O'Connor both took shots in the first minute, catching the Bulldogs' defense on their heels. 90 seconds in to the game, freshman Amanda Masullo was fouled in the arc and converted her free position attempt to put LIU on top, 1-0. Bryant tied it up a few minutes later, on a free position shot of their own, and would score the next four goals to take a 5-1 lead on the Blackbirds.
 
LIU started a rally in the final eight minutes of the first half, however. Freshman Rachel Masullo scored on a free position shot, just before Bryant did the same with six minutes left in the stanza. Down, 6-2, the Blackbirds didn't blink. Junior Dale Cosgrave would score off a pass from Mosal, and just over a minute later, freshman Bridget Neiley got a goal with help from Rachel Masullo. Just 13 seconds later, after Rachel Masullo won the draw control, Amanda Masullo would break away to score a goal on her own, and LIU had cut the lead to 6-5.
 
Bryant came out of the half ready to change the momentum. The Bulldogs did just that, scoring four straight goals to take a 10-5 lead over LIU. But the Blackbirds wouldn't go down without a fight. O'Connor would find Santucci in front of the net, and the sophomore would score just before the 20-minute mark to stop Bryant's run. Rachel Masullo added another goal with 17:48 left to play, a free position shot that made it 10-7. Santucci would score again three minutes later, off a pass from Cosgrave, and the Blackbirds had it within two, 10-8.
 
Though Bryant would add a goal at the eight-minute mark, LIU answered just 90 seconds later, when senior Sierra O'Connor would score a goal off a pass from Amanda Masullo, keeping LIU within striking distance, 11-9. But Bryant would rally to score two more goals in the final five minutes of the game, and keep the Blackbirds from creating offensive momentum, taking the win to stay undefeated in the league, 13-9.
 
Senior goalkeeper Samantha Santeramo came up huge for the Bulldogs in the win, as she made 12 saves to help clinch the victory. For LIU, freshman Sam Kidd made ten saves in net.
 
Up next, the Blackbirds host local rival Wagner on LIU Field, Friday, April 20 at 4 p.m.