WORCESTER, Mass. – Early strikes during both halves by junior Julia Duffy propelled the LIU Post women's soccer team past Assumption College, 3-2 Sept. 8.
 
Duffy found the back of the net during the opening half of both periods Saturday for her second and third goals of the season. Freshman Kendra Oldroyd added her second tally of the year during the first half. The Pioneer offense registered 26 shots on the afternoon, with 15 finding the frame. Assumptions Alexis Nason made 12 saves but it was not enough to slow down the LIU Post attack.
 
It took just 3:37 for freshman Terese Markelund to find Duffy who put home a header from the center of the penalty box to give LIU Post the early 1-0 advantage. Oldroyd extended the lead during the 14th minute, firing a shot from just outside the six-yard box to make it 2-0 in favor of the Green and Gold. Nason turned aside a shot on goal by freshman Emily Tirado to keep the score 2-0 headed into halftime.
 
The second half showed a nearly identical start to the first when the Pioneers earned a corner kick during the 49th minute. Redshirt-junior Alice Schonfeldt bent a cross into the box on the corner and Duffy rose up to bury another header for her second goal of the game.
 
Two goals in a span of five minutes during the 77th and 80th minute gave Assumption life, cutting the deficit down to one goal, but the Pioneers survived a late corner kick and header attempt during the 87th minute to hang on for the win.
 
With the win, LIU Post improves to 2-1 while Assumption slips to 1-2.
 
The Pioneers will play in front of the home crowd for the first time this season when they host Georgian Court University at Pioneer Soccer Park Monday, Sept. 10 at 4:00 p.m.