BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (Sept. 7, 2014) - Following 80 scoreless minutes, sophomore forward Julia Backman (Morsil, Sweden) converted a penalty kick to give the LIU Post women's soccer team a 1-0 win over No. 4 American International on Sunday at Pioneer Soccer Park in Brookville, N.Y.
 
The Pioneers (1-1) and the Yellow Jackets (0-2) played a tight match throughout. LIU Post's sophomore goalkeeper, Hreffie Agnarsdottir (Reykjavik, Iceland), made three saves in the first 45 minutes to keep AIC off the board. At the other end of the pitch, Sam Tabak stood tall to make two saves in the opening half.
 
After a scoreless first half, AIC had a chance to jump out in front in the 51st minute. Sonia Basma sent a shot that hit the crossbar. The rebound came directly to Brittany Barry, but the Pioneer defense was able to block the shot from going on goal, keeping the contest deadlocked at 0-0.
 
In the 78th minute, the Pioneers had a chance of their own to go ahead. Sophomore Sarah McGarry (Islip, N.Y.) got behind the AIC defense for a one-on-one opportunity against Tabak, but the Yellow Jackets' keeper made the save.
 
Late in the second half, AIC was called for a handball in the box, giving the Pioneers another chance to go ahead. Backman sent the shot into the net as Tabak guessed wrong, giving the green and gold the 1-0 advantage they wouldn't give up.
 
Head Coach Mark Dawson and the Pioneers return to action on Thursday (Sept. 11), when the head to Philadelphia, Pa. to take on Holy Family in a non-conference match. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m.