Shirley, N.Y. - On Saturday, the No. 5/6 and top-seeded LIU Post men's lacrosse team hoisted its second-consecutive ECC title, following a 14-9 win versus No. 7/9 and second-seeded NYIT in the 2015 East Coast Conference Championship at Dowling's Golden Lions Field.
Though the Bears (12-4) struck first in the game, the Pioneers (14-2) responded with three unanswered goals to grab a 3-1 cushion after 15 minutes of play. Junior attackman Matt Bellando (Miami, Fla.) gave LIU Post the lead, as he tallied back-to-back goals in an 18-second stint. Senior midfielder Connor Drost(Wading River, N.Y.) followed with an unassisted even-strength marker.
In the second quarter, NYIT again got the first goal, but another three-goal run pushed the green and gold's lead to 6-2 at the 9:13 mark. Senior attackman Chris Caiazza (Lindenhurst, N.Y.), junior attackman Matty Beccaris (North Babylon, N.Y.) and junior midfielder Anthony Berardis (Mahopac, N.Y.) accounted for the goals. Beccaris also pitched in an assist on Berardis' tally.
The Bears finished the half up strong though and cut the deficit to a two-goal game (7-5) at the break. Junior goalie Adam Winne (Ridgefield, Conn.), who was selected as the Most Outstanding Player of the ECC Championship, made seven saves in the first 30 minutes. He had 13 stops in the contest and a combined 28 saves in the two postseason starts.
Early in the third quarter, NYIT's Thomas Hughes (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) closed the gap to 7-6, but LIU Post fired back with four straight goals to grab its largest advantage of the afternoon at 11-6. Berardis notched a goal and two assists in the burst to key the Pioneers' effort.
That proved to be all the green and gold needed as well, as the Bears only got within 12-9 the rest of the way. Late in the third period, however, Winne made two stellar saves, including one from point-blank range on the 2015 ECC Player of the Year, Luke Miller (Mastic, N.Y.).
Beccaris led all players with six points (5 G, 1 A) on the day. Berardis collected two goals and two assists for a four-point showing. Drost pitched in a three-point outing (2 G, 1 A). Caiazza added a pair of tallies. Senior defenseman Dan Jeannotte (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) was dominant on faceoffs, winning 16-of-27 (59.3 percent).
The Pioneers now await word on a potential bid to the NCAA Division II Championship. The selection show will air live on Sunday (May 3) at 7:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.
Provided by the LIU Post Sports Information Department.
