The Pioneer Trail: Friday, Oct. 7, 2014
Field Hockey vs. Bellarmine - 2 p.m.
After putting on an offensive clinic in its last outing, the LIU Post field hockey team wraps up the non-conference portion of its schedule by hosting Bellarmine at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium.
The Pioneers (12-2) overcame a shaky first half, rolling to a 9-1 victory over Southern New Hampshire on Tuesday (Nov. 4) in Brookville. The green and gold held a two-goal advantage at halftime, despite outshooting the Penmen by a 21-1 count. In the latter portion of the contest, the Pioneers stepped up the offensive pressure, scoring seven times on 25 shots. Junior forward Keliann Margiotta (Sewell, N.J.) collected four goals in the victory, upping her season total to a national-best 28 tallies. Senior forward Lyn-Marie Wilson (Bridgetown, Barbados, W.I.) scored twice, while the Pioneers also got goals from freshman forward Kaycee Zelkovsky (Lambertville, N.J.), senior forward Stephanie Ruhle (Wanaque, N.J.) and graduate defender Dani Crouse (Westville, South Africa).
The Pioneers' offensive onslaught has culminated in 62 goals on the season, which eclipsed the program record for goals in a season set by the 2007 squad (58). Additionally, Margiotta is three goals away from tying the single-season goals record set by former teammate Carlee Dragon (31 in 2013).
Bellarmine (8-7) nearly pulled off a colossal upset in its last outing, falling valiantly to No. 6 Limestone by a 2-1 margin last Friday (Oct. 31). The Knights scored first as senior forward Alex Ojeda (Edwardsville, Ill.) knocked home her sixth goal of the season in the 53rd minute of play. The lead would not last, however, as the Saints scored twice in the dwindling minutes of regulation to escape Louisville with the win. Senior netminder Lara Williams (Louisville, Ky.) made five saves for Bellarmine in the loss.
Sophomore forward Kelsey O'Bryan (Louisville, Ky.) leads the Knights with 10 goals and 27 points on the season.
A total of 12 other players have scored at least one goal for Bellarmine through 15 games, including sophomore forward Kathryn Schneidtmiller (Louisville, Ky.), who has eight goals and six assists.
This game will mark just the third time these two schools have faced each other. LIU Post has won each of the prior meetings, defeating the Knights in a 5-4 overtime thriller on October 11, 2009.