Garden City, N.Y. - Behind a two-goal, four-point performance from freshman Erin O'Connor, the LIU Post women's soccer team advanced to the NCAA East Regional final, for the second time in program history, after defeating top-seeded Adelphi University, 3-2, at Motamed Field.
With the win on Sunday afternoon, the Pioneers improve to 17-3-1, the best record in program history. The green and gold will advance to the third round for the first time in 10 years (2007), while the fifth-ranked Panthers complete their 2017 campaign 15-4.
LIU Post scored the match's opening goal in the 17th minute when Andrea Huntzinger found O'Connor, who one-touched it into the bottom right corner for the 1-0 goal. Adelphi's Kerianna Scorce evened the score 38 seconds later, when she headed a cross for her seventh goal of the season.
O'Connor's 30th minute tally—which she converted in front of goal following a cross from Julia Duffy — once again put LIU Post ahead, 2-1. Fifteen seconds later, Huntzinger was left unmarked and buried a tally for her ninth goal of the season.
Short on time and down 3-1 in the second half, the Panthers pulled within one score in the 67th minute, when Taylor Sipos played a short ball in the box to Scorce, who finished low on the right side, but Adelphi could not eclipse the Pioneer's lead.
Alice Schonfeldt and Sarah McGarry turned in strong efforts in the midfield, while defender Paige Sherlock proved a menace down the left side.
Hillevi Eklow recorded a game-high eight saves in a match that saw her side outshot 18-13. The Pioneers generated more corners than the opposition (5-1).
LIU Post seeks its first East Regional Championship in program history on Sunday, November 19, when they are set to take on Mercy College in an ECC Championship Final rematch, in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
Provided by the LIU Post Sports Information Department.
