BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- The LIU Brooklyn women's soccer team dropped a heartbreaker to Belmont, 2-1 in double overtime on a steamy Sunday afternoon in Nashville, Tenn. With the game tied at 1-1 after 106 minutes of even play, a high cross from the Bruins' Shannon Maitland bounced to teammate Megan Michela, who one-timed it towards the goal when the ball glanced off of a LIU defender and snuck into the bottom corner of the net for the game winner.

The first half was quiet for both teams, with the Bruins holding a 7-4 lead in shots and 3-2 in shots on goal before the break and most of the second half followed the same script. Then at the 54 minute mark, a LIU goalkeeper sustained an injury on a collision - for the second game in a row. Freshman Meaghan Haley making her second start in goal this year for the Blackbirds had four saves, but was forced to come off after a Belmont player knocked her to the ground.

Then in the 78th minute a foul near midfield gave the Blackbirds a free kick, letting the visitors make a great set play. The Blackbirds finally broke through, as freshman Meredith Hill hit a line drive from 40 yards out - right into the back of the box for the first goal. With her second goal of the season, LIU had a 1-0 lead very late in the contest.

But the Bruins would strike back with just over three minutes to go in regulation time. On the play, Jesse Boozer made a great pass to Allie Svoboda who notched the equalizer. In the final minute, with both teams playing at a frenetic pace, LIU freshman Emily Poole came within inches of sending the Blackbirds home happy when she held off her defender and kicked the ball over 30 yards only to watch the ball hit the crossbar and roll over out of play.

Junior Lily Herman, who started in goal for Belmont, playing the first half and then re-entering for the 17 minutes of overtime, earned the victory for the Bruins (1-3), who were on the tall side of the ledger for the first time this season. Sophomore Megan Virgin, who came off the bench for the second consecutive game, took the loss in net for the Blackbirds (1-3-1), who came up empty-handed in two games this weekend in Tennessee. Senior Marian Awad, the reigning NEC Player of the Week led the Blackbirds with three shots (two on goal) in the game.

BLACKBIRDS HEAD TO HARTFORD
After traveling back to campus, LIU will head up to Hartford for a Thursday night (Sept. 6) matchup with the Hawks at 5 p.m., to complete a three-game road trip. The Blackbirds will be back home on Sunday, September 9 for a 1 p.m. tilt against Iona.