Field Hockey Falls to #5 LIU Post, 2-0
Links: Box Score
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – Playing a ranked opponent for the second straight game, the Merrimack College field hockey team lost for the first time in four games at LIU Post, 2-0, in its Northeast-10 Conference opener on Saturday morning in Long Island.
The Basics
Score: #5 LIU Post 2, Merrimack 0
Records: Merrimack (3-2, 0-1 NE-10) | #5 LIU Post (3-1, 1-0 NE-10)
Location: Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium | Brookville, N.Y.
What They Said
Head coach Anne Rounce, "We need to keep building on our mental toughness to compete at a higher level that our schedule demands. Right now we are shifting our sights on to Saint Michael's and continuing to try to improve collectively as a group."
How It Happened
Playing their third game in just five days, the Warriors put forth a valiant effort to battle with the fifth-ranked team in the nation -- and the reigning national runner-up -- on Long Island on Saturday morning.
Freshman Mary McNeil (Canton, Mass.) tried to pick up where she left off on Thursday, when she scored twice, and fired two shots off early in the first half. But LIU Post would score first, as the Pioneers' first goal came in the 23rd minute of the game when sophomore Grace Ilias was able to flip a backhand shot just by senior goalkeeper Madison Davis (San Jose, Calif.).
LIU's second goal and final score of the game would come in the 51st minute from sophomore Kaycee Zelkovsky to give Merrimack just their second loss of the season.
Davis gave a strong effort in net for the Warriors against one of the nation's most potent offenses, making eight saves in the game.
Inside The Numbers
- This is the first time since 2013 that the Warriors had to face ranked opponents in consecutive games. The outcome was the same in that year, when they won their first game and lost their second.
- This is the first game this season that an opponent has outshot the Warriors or outnumbered them in corners. Although they finished with less, Merrimack still had 11 penalty corners in the game.
Up Next
The Warriors return to North Andover on Wednesday when they host St. Michael's at 4:30 p.m. in their NE-10 home opener.
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