WORCESTER, Mass.— The LIU Brooklyn field hockey team earned its first win of the season with a 2-1 decision over Holy Cross on Friday night. The Blackbirds (1-6) rallied back on second half goals by juniors Lauren Alburg and Olivia Dennis to defeat the Crusaders (0-6).
Holy Cross scored the first goal of the game in the eighth minute on the rebound goal by Keely Smith just past the reach of junior Molly Janell. LIU had a two penalty corners late in the opening half but were unable to capitalize.
The Blackbirds were aggressive out of the break, tying things up just under a minute and a half into the period. Alburg found the back of the net on the rebound past the outstretched LaPlante to tie the game at 1-1. LIU continued to control the pace of play with several chances in the Holy Cross zone. The Blackbirds would finally net the go-ahead goal off the stick of Dennis as she juked around LaPlante for the breakaway score in the 56th minute. Jannell and the LIU defense held Holy Cross off the board after a few late chances to preserve the victory.
Alburg has picked up goals in back-to-back games while the game winner by Dennis was her first career goal. Redshirt-sophomore Casey Carrigan registered her first career defensive save in the first half. Jannell finished the game with seven saves in 70 minutes of action for LIU.
UP NEXT
The Blackbirds conclude the weekend at Providence with a 1:00 p.m. start on Sunday, September 16 from Lennon Family Field.