BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – An early goal set the tone for the University of Bridgeport Purple Knights as the LIU Post women's soccer team came up short during a 1-0 decision during the NCAA Division II East Region championship match at Steph Pettit Stadium on Friday, Nov. 16.
 
With the win, Bridgeport advances to the NCAA quarterfinal round to face Bloomsburg University.
 
It was the first shot for either side during the eighth minute of play when Maegan Doyle took a through ball from Andrea Basilicato and blasted a one-time attempt into the back of the net to give the Purple Knights a 1-0 advantage. From there, offensive chances were few and far between for both sides, with LIU Post's only opportunity of the half coming during the 19th minute when sophomore Samantha Gordon sent a header wide of the target on a corner kick from junior Paige Sherlock.
 
Senior goalkeeper Hillevi Eklow made two saves on Doyle later in the half as part of her five-save effort on the day to help keep the deficit at just one goal at the half. Similar to the East Coast Conference championship match, LIU Post ramped up the intensity during the second half, outshooting Bridgeport 3-0 during the first 15 minutes. Freshman Amanda Hjelle registered the lone shot on goal during the stretch but was turned aside by Purple Knight goalkeeper Jennifer Wendelius.
 
Eklow needed three saves in a three-minute span to keep Bridgeport out of the net again in what could have been a devastating second goal and kept the Green and Gold in the match. LIU Post earned four corner kicks during a 10-minute burst late in the half but could not register any shots off the attempts. The final shot attempt of the afternoon came off the right foot of freshman Olivia Wesch from distance that nearly dipped towards the crossbar but fell harmlessly onto the top netting as LIU Post came up short in its third attempt to take down Bridgeport this season.
 
The Pioneers close out the 2018 campaign with a 14-4-4 record, including a 6-1-2 mark during ECC play.