BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- The LIU Brooklyn women's soccer team will put its 2-1-1 home record on the line this weekend, when they host a pair of Northeast Conference matches against Mount St. Mary's on Friday (Sept. 28, 3 p.m.) and Sacred Heart on Sunday (Sept. 30, 1 p.m.). The team will also honor its' eight seniors prior to the Sunday contest.
BLACKBIRD BUZZ
The Blackbirds (2-7-1) earned a hard fought tie against the Big East's Seton Hall, 2-2, last week in their first game. On the weekend, LIU opened NEC play at Saint Francis U. and pushed the two-time defending champion to a scoreless tie through regulation, before falling 1-0 in overtime. With a goal against the Pirates last week, senior Marian Awad tied her highest career point total with 12. She leads the Blackbirds and stands second in the NEC with six goals on the year. Awad will be one of the eight LIU players celebrated prior to kickoff, along with Agape Alexander, Aline Allmann, Deanna Ellison, Summer Sofer, captain Maddie Shockley, Josie Watson and Leslie Wrightington.
MOUNT OUTLOOK
Mount (1-6-2, 0-0-1) kicked off the NEC season with a 1-1 tie versus Fairleigh Dickinson. Senior Kayla Hughes, who leads the Mountaineers with four goals this season, notched a pair of goals versus UMBC last week, before netting a third one in the FDU tie. LIU holds a 15-5-1 advantage in the series, which dates back to 1997, with the Blackbirds currently on a two-match win streak.
SACRED HEART OUTLOOK
The Pioneers will face the two-time defending NEC champions, Saint Francis U. on Friday, prior to coming to Brooklyn on Sunday. SHU is 1-9 overall and 0-1 in the NEC after losing to Bryant last weekend. The Pioneers' single non-conference win came against Saint Peter's, who the Blackbirds also topped this season. Seniors Melanie DaSilva (five points) and Lindsay Corallo (four points) lead the team with two goals apiece.
Last year, on their own Senior Day, the Pioneers topped the Blackbirds 1-0 on a goal in the 73rd minute by current senior Alyssa Hyland. The two teams played to the identical score and decision in 2016. Back in 2015, then freshman Sofer broke the scoreless game game with the winning tally in the 78th minute for LIU's last win in the series. LIU leads the all-time series 13-6-1.
UP NEXT:
The Blackbirds will host their third consecutive NEC home game, against their closest rival, Wagner, next Saturday, October 6 at 1 p.m., which will also serve as Alumni day for the team.