Game Details: Tuesday, April 30 | 4:00 p.m.
Location: Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium | Brookville, N.Y.
Game Links: Watch Live | Live Stats
Twitter: @LIUPostPioneers | @LIUPWLAX
LIU Post Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats
Bridgeport Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats
THE FIRST LOOK
The LIU Post women's lacrosse team enters the ECC Championship as the No.3 seed with a 14-3 overall record and a 7-1 record in ECC play. The Pioneers are currently ranked No. 8 in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Association (IWLCA) poll, No. 12 in the Nike/U.S. Lacrosse Magazine poll and No. 3 in the east region by the NCAA. Most recently, LIU Post defeated Roberts Wesleyan College 16-6 on Saturday, April 27 at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium.
The sixth-seeded Purple Knights head into the tournament on the heels of a 15-10 loss to Molloy College on Saturday, April 27 in their regular season finale. Bridgeport is 8-8 overall and 3-5 in conference play.
INSIDE THE SERIES
LIU Post is a perfect 9-0 against Bridgeport in the nine-year history of the series. The Pioneers have outscored the Lions 148-30 in the nine contests between the two teams. It will be the sixth meeting between the Pioneers and Purple Knights at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium.
LAST TIME THEY MET
The two squads last faced off on Tuesday, April 23 at Knights Field in Bridgeport, Connecticut with the Pioneers earning a 15-7 victory.
Junior Brianna Feldman led the way with seven goals and five ground balls while junior Paige Sherlock contributed three goals, six ground balls and three draw controls. Junior Alyssa Mallery finished with three goals, a game-high nine draw controls and three ground balls. Junior Sara Stephens and freshman Madeline Schaefer both added one goal each while freshman goalkeeper Hailey Duchnowski recorded 10 saves.
The Pioneers were perfect transitioning the ball from defense to offense, successfully completing 18-of-18 clear attempts.
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
The Pioneers offense has been dominant in 2019, outscoring opponents 253-154 and conference opponents 134-57. LIU Post's 14.8 goals per game ranks third in the ECC
LIU Post's offense is spearheaded by Mallery, whose 74 goals and 101 draw controls both rank second in the conference while her 40 ground balls are tied for sixth. With 57 goals Feldman, who was recently named both ECC Offensive Player of the Week and IWLCA National Offensive Player of the Week, is tied for fifth in the conference while Deren's 42 assists rank fourth. Deren is also an ECC Offensive Player of the Week and IWLCA National Offensive Player of the Year honoree.
Other significant contributors to the Pioneer offense include Sherlock who has 40 goals and 32 ground balls, Brisotti who has 25 goals, Stephens who has 17 goals and sophomore Jamie Alvino who has 14 goals and 16 assists.
Defensively, Duchnowski has had a stellar freshman year between the pipes for LIU Post. Named ECC Defensive Player of the Week on three occasions and IWLCA National Defensive Player of the Week once, her 13 wins are tied for first in the conference and 148 saves rank fourth.
Sherlock's 22 caused turnovers lead LIU Post while Mallery has 13, junior Maddie Titus 12, redshirt senior Carly Spano 10 and Feldman eight. Other major contributors on the Pioneer defensive unit, whose 8.38 goals against average is third-lowest in the conference, are junior Kendall Purdy and sophomore Alyssa Boll.
SCOUTING THE PURPLE KNIGHTS
The Purple Knights head into Tuesday's contest coming off back-to-back losses, first to the Pioneers on Tuesday, April 23 then to Molloy College on Saturday, April 27.
The Purple Knights have scored 215 goals on the season and have allowed 194 on the opposite end. Barbara Orsini leads Bridgeport in goals with 40, which is tied for tenth in the conference, and has 20 assists on the season. Other impact players include Megan Kreitler, who has 36 goals on the season and Julia Ruscio, who has 30 goals and 34 ground balls
Defensively, Bridgeport has a 12.13 goals against average which ranks sixth in the conference. Cheyanne Gangel has spent the majority of time in goal for the Purple Knights, making 15 appearances and 167 saves with a goals against average of 12.67 and a save percentage of .491.
TICKET INFORMATION
Admission will be charged for all fans in attendance for Tuesday's quarterfinal matchup. Tickets for adults will be $8 and students with valid ID, senior citizens, and children ages 5-12 will be admitted for $4. Children under the age of five will not be charged admission. Fans that cannot make it to the Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium can follow along with live video available on the ECC Network free of charge. Fans can also follow along with live stats at www.liupostpioneers.com.