BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – A penalty kick awarded to the top-seeded University of Bridgeport during the 88th minute proved to be the difference as the third-seeded LIU Post women's soccer team dropped an emotional East Coast Conference championship matchup, 2-1 at Knights Field on Saturday, Nov. 3.
 
Bridgeport scored twice off of foul calls against LIU Post during the second half, including a set piece and the deciding penalty kick late. The Purple Knight offense held a 15-8 advantage in shot attempts, compiling 10 shots on goal to five for the Pioneers. LIU Post gained a 7-0 edge in corner kicks.
 
The first half was a defensive battle for LIU Post, as the Pioneers were held without a shot attempt through the opening 45 minutes. The Purple Knights held a 6-0 edge in shot attempts, with senior goalkeeper Hillevi Eklow recording four saves. The Green and Gold posted the only corner kick of the period, but a curling cross from senior Alice Schonfeldt blew harmlessly over the end line and out of play.
 
The fireworks began during the final 45 minutes of action, however, as the Purple Knights jumped ahead during the 53rd minute when Maegen Doyle buried a free kick attempt from 20 yards out to give Bridgeport a 1-0 advantage. LIU Post did not back down and instead, ramped up the intensity in the attacking third. Over the next 15 minutes, the Pioneers garnered four corner kicks and two shots on goal. The pressure finally broke through during the 78th minute when the Green and Gold earned another corner kick, and Schonfeldt found sophomore Samantha Gordon at the top of the six-yard box for a header back across to the left post for the equalizer.
 
Moments later the Pioneers had another great chance when sophomore Sydney Pasquarella took a pass and beat the Purple Knight defense into the box but Jennifer Wendelius denied her shot from the right side. The match saw a huge flip in momentum during the 83rd minute when LIU Post was assessed a red card, forcing the Pioneers to play with 10 players the rest of the way. Bridgeport fended off an opportunity in the offensive end for the Pioneers despite being a man down during the 85th minute, and the match was decided two minutes later on the opposite end of the field.
 
With the Purple Knights attacking inside the penalty area, LIU Post was called for a foul to set up a penalty kick opportunity with 2:14 to play. Doyle stepped up and just snuck a shot past Eklow on the lower left side of the frame for the game-winning score, giving Bridgeport its third ECC championship in four seasons.
 
The Pioneers will await the seeding of the NCAA Division II Championship on Monday. The NCAA will announce the 48-team field during the annual selection show at 6:30 p.m. The opening round of the national tournament is scheduled to begin on Friday, Nov. 9