No. 16 Women's Soccer Upends So. Conn. St, 2-0 in Opener

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – No. 16 LIU Post women's soccer opened the 2018 season with an impressive showing during a 2-0 blanking of Southern Connecticut State University in the opening match of the Bridgeport Women's Soccer Classic August 31. LIU Post was outstanding on both ends of the field, holding a 16-10 advantage in shots and a 12-2 edge in corners. Senior Hillevi Eklow compiled five saves, including three during the second half to earn her first shutout of the season. Offensive pressure was key for the Pioneers during the opening 45 minutes, as LIU Post continued to garner possession in the offensive third of the pitch from the opening kick. Southern Connecticut State held off the sustained pressure that included five shot attempts and four corner kicks for over 30 minutes before junior Julia Duffy got behind the defensive line and classmate Paige Sherlock found her down the left flank with a perfectly-timed through ball to propel a one v. one opportunity which Duffy capitalized on for her first goal of the 2018 campaign. The one-goal advantage held for the Pioneers until the halftime buzzer as the Green and Gold entered the half leading 1-0. The offensive onslaught continued midway through the second half when the Pioneers tallied seven shots during a four-minute stretch. A hit post and a phenomenal diving save by Owl goalkeeper Tamra Zippin kept the lead at just one goal with 15 minutes to play. The Green and Gold finally broke through during the 77th minute, however, when junior Alice Schonfeldt touched home a loose ball in a crowded scrum in front of the goalmouth to double the advantage. The insurance goal proved to be the final strike of the afternoon as the Pioneers held on for the 2-0 victory. LIU Post will face a tough challenge on Sunday when it battles No. 24 Southern New Hampshire University in its first top-25 matchup of the season. Kickoff is slated for 12:00 p.m. at Knights Field.