Brookville, N.Y. - On Wednesday, the 17th-ranked and top-seeded LIU Post men's soccer team used a four-goal first half to defeat the fourth-seeded University of Bridgeport, 6-2, in an East Coast Conference semifinal match at Pioneer Soccer Park.
The Pioneers (13-2-2) will now face NYIT for the ECC title on Friday (Nov. 6) in Brookville.
It took less than a minute for the green and gold to get on the board. Senior midfielder Matias Ruiz (Southampton, N.Y.) sent a through ball into the right side of the box where freshman forward Charlie Ledula (London, England) finished for the 1-0 lead.
In the third minute, the Purple Knights (10-7) responded with a goal of their own to tie it at 1-all.
From there, it was all LIU Post, with a little help.
In the ninth minute, the Pioneers sent a cross into the box that was tapped in by a Bridgeport defender, making it 2-1.
In the 11th minute, sophomore back David Arvidsson (Gothenburg, Sweden) ripped a shot from about 28 yards out over the keeper's head for the 3-1 advantage.
Before halftime, senior forward Per Forgaard (Stavanger, Norway) made it 4-1 Pioneers.
Junior keeper Jesper Malmstrom (Linkopping, Sweden) made a pair of saves in the opening half.
In the second half, Ledula scored his second of the game in the 52nd minute before freshman forward Toby Ilomuanya (South Orange, N.Y.) added a marker in the 74th minute, making it 6-1 Pioneers.
Bridgeport added a goal in the 84th minute for the 6-2 final.
Head coach Andreas Lindberg and his LIU Post squad will take on NYIT for the 2015 ECC crown on Friday (Nov. 6). The opening kick is slated for 1 p.m.
Provided by the LIU Post Sports Information Department.
