Teaneck, N.J. – The Long Island University women’s soccer team fell to Saint Francis (Pa.), 1-0, in the Northeast Conference championship on Sunday afternoon at University Stadium on the campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University. Despite dominating the game offensively, LIU was unable to find the back of the net and the Red Flash were the beneficiaries of an early own goal to claim the program’s first championship.

The teams opened the game playing a methodical possession game as they settled in. LIU had its first good chance in the 23rd minute when junior Ariana Calderon took a long pass in front of the goal, but her shot sailed high.

The game’s only score came at the 28:11 mark when SFU’s Tesa McKibben sent a cross from the left wing that slipped past her own teammate and deflected off an LIU defender and into the net at the near post. LIU senior Brittany Schandelmayer had a shot stopped by Lauren Fearer in the 38th minute and just four minutes later had another attempt scoot just wide of the target.

In the second half, the Blackbirds continued to search for the equalizer and pushed players forward. Starting goalkeeper Jessica Sexton pushed up to get a pair of shots on LIU corner kicks, but neither was able to find the net. Sophomore Jeanette Dolmetsch had Long Island’s last chance with just under a minute remaining, but her shot from distance was stopped by Fearer.

LIU held a 13-4 advantage in shots, but Fearer managed six saves for the shutout. Sexton made three saves for the Blackbirds, who also had a 4-0 edge in corner kicks.

Schandelmayer, Calderon and senior Caitlin Meadows represented Long Island on the NEC All-Tournament team, while SFU forward Chelsea Traurig was named Tournament MVP.

The Red Flash earn the Northeast Conference’s automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament with the win. The tournament’s field will be unveiled on Monday, Nov. 8, at approximately 4:30 p.m. on ESPNU.
 

Scoring Summary
                                                                 1      2       F

Saint Francis (Pa.) (15-4-2)                            1      0-     1

Long Island (15-3-3)                                     0      0-     0

 

28:11      SFPA      Own Goal