North Andover, Mass. - The LIU Post men's soccer team fell Saturday to No. 1 Charleston by a score of 1-0 in the NCAA Division II National Quarterfinals at Martone-Mejail Field.
The Pioneers (16-5-2) came into the game as the underdogs, and the Golden Eagles (21-0-1) controlled the pace of play from the get-go. The green and gold held a high-powered Charleston offense scoreless through the first half of play, as both teams struggled to put any offensive chances tinto the net. The top-ranked Golden Eagles had their best chances in the 35th minute of action when junior midfielder Conor Branson (Pontefract, England) broke free in the 18-yard box. His left-footed shot was parried away by junior goalie Jesper Malmstrom (Linkopping, Sweden) and a second effort by junior middie Mike Hagarty (Wellington, New Zealand) was corralled by the Pioneers' keeper. Charleston outshot LIU Post 8-2 in the first half and took the only corner kick through the first 45 minutes.
The green and gold opened the second half with several good offensive chances, including one in the 63rd minute. Off of a free kick by graduate defender Seb Baxter (Saffrom Walden, England), the ball found its way to the foot of junior midfielder Per Forgaard (Stavanger, Norway). Forgaard's attempt on net was saved by Charleston keeper Fabian Veit (Dielheim, Germany), and the Golden Eagles went on a quick counterattack. After a few quick passes, freshman forward Kevin Feucht (Schetzingen, Germany) rifled a quick shot that beat Malmstrom in the lower quadrant of the cage.
The Pioneers had one last chance in the 82nd minute off of their lone corner kick in the afternoon. Junior middie Matias Ruiz (Southampton, N.Y.) sent in a cross that found its way to the foot of sophomore forward Johann Kristjansson (Reykjavik, Iceland) who pounded the shot attempt off the gloves of Veit. The Golden Eagles' defense cleared the ball out of their own 18-yard box, and LIU Post would not gather another attempt on net as the final buzzer sounded.
Charleston outshot the Pioneers 15-6 in the contest. Malmstrom collected five saves for the Pioneers, while Veit made three stops for the Golden Eagles in their win.
Provided by the LIU Post Sports Information Department.
