Brookville, N.Y. - A 29th-minute goal from graduate midfielder Alex Billington (Preston, England) sent the No. 1 and top-seeded LIU Post men's soccer team to a 1-0 win over fifth-seeded Merrimack College Saturday in the second round of the 2016 NCAA Division II Championship at Pioneer Soccer Park.
The victory advances the Pioneers (18-0-1) to their fourth-consecutive NCAA East Region Championship final. They will host second-seeded Adelphi University at Pioneer Soccer Park next week.
Billington's goal came on a penalty kick, after sophomore midfielder Charlie Ledula (London, England) was fouled in the box by Merrimack (15-6) junior goalkeeper Cody Russell (Oceanside, Calif.).
Billington then stepped to the spot and converted a shot into the lower-right corner of the net for the game's lone tally.
The Pioneers limited the Warriors to just one shot on goal through 90 minutes of play. In the fifth minute, the Warriors' Connor O'Brien (Sandwich, Mass.) had his attempt from inside the 18-yard box stopped by LIU Post senior netminder Jesper Malmstrom (Linkopping, Sweden).
Malmstrom finished with one save on the afternoon for the Pioneers. Russell and sophomore keeper Tyler Packett (Eastham, Mass.) combined to stop seven shots for the Warriors.
Provided by the LIU Post Sports Information Department.
