Box Score
The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's soccer team dropped its first Northeast Conference contest at Long Island University, 4-1, on Saturday, Sept. 25 in Brooklyn, NY. With the loss, the Knights fall to 3-4-1 (0-1 NEC), while the Blackbirds improve to 4-5 (1-0 NEC).
The Blackbirds outshot the Knights 17-6 in 90 minutes of play and were able to capitalize on four shots to take the win in both teams' first Northeast Conference game.
LIU's first goal came in the 26th minute on a breakaway in front of the net. LIU point leader, Jen Spicer, netted the goal to put the Blackbirds up 1-0.
Eleven minutes later, Evelyn Calderon crossed the ball to Caroline Kaplan from just inside the penalty box. Kaplan gave LIU a 2-0 lead as they went into halftime.
After the break LIU's offense was back in action. In the 50th minute, Spicer took a corner kick for the Blackbirds that was pushed past Knights' goal keeper, Sage DoVale (Lilburn, Ga./Collins Hill) by Kayleigh Morgan.
With a 3-0 deficit and 40 minutes left to play, the Knights took control of the ball in the midfield. Alexis Pardo (Valhalla, NY/Westlake) fired a shot that tested LIU keeper Jennifer Bannon in the 54th minute and gave the Knights some momentum.
Rashidah Sherman (Pelham Manor, NY/Pelham Memorial) passed the ball to Elizabeth Langer (Clinton, N.J./Voorhees) just 30 seconds later and helped the Knights get on the board with a shot that went to the upper left corner of the goal. It was Langer's first goal of the season.
Sherman and Lisa-Marie Curti (Richmond Hill, Ontario/St. Theresa of Lisieux) were both able to get shots on goal in the final 20 minutes of play but could not cut the Blackbirds lead.
With just one minute remaining, LIU added their fourth score of the day with goal from five-yards outside by junior Lauryn Bretches.
DoVale earned the loss in goal but added five saves to her season total. The Knights tallied three shots on goal.
FDU resumes conference play with a home-stand next weekend. The Knights will face Quinnipiac on Friday, Sept. 30 at 7:00 pm and Central Connecticut State on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 1:00 pm.
