The LIU Post Pioneers gutted out a 3-2 win over the Skyhawks from Stonehill College in the NCAA Division II semifinals in Louisville, KY on Thursday, Dec. 4 and advanced to the NCAA Division II field hockey finals for the second time in as many years.
The Pioneers got on the board first when senior forward Lyn-Marie Wilson found the back of the cage off a pass from graduate midfielder Dani Crouse in the 20th minute.
Looking to respond, the Skyhawks weaved their way into Pioneer territory and converted on a shot attempt from junior forward Lauren Giordano.
Through the first half, the Pioneers held the advantage in shots by three, but found themselves deadlocked on the scoreboard at the break, 1-1.
The Pioneers were the aggressors early in the second half and it paid off. Senior forward Stephanie Ruhle dove in front of the cage and was able to squeak a shot passed the Skyhawk goal keeper.
Stonehill, again looking to respond, did so with a goal just three minutes later, to draw even at two.
With the score tied and the momentum hanging in the balance, the Pioneers seized the opportunity. In the 60th minute, sophomore midfielder Abi Sawyer fired a shot from the top of the circle into the top-left corner of the cage, giving the Pioneers the one-goal advantage.
The Pioneers did not relinquish the lead and marched on to play the Marauders from Millersville University in the title game.
The Pioneers played the final game of their 2014 campaign on Saturday, Dec. 6, the NCAA Division II Field Hockey final. Millersville came into the contest with a staggering 20-3 record for the season, two wins better than the Pioneers, who came in with an 18-3 record.
In the 46th minute, Millersville senior defender Rachel Dickinson broke the scoreless tie, converting off a penalty corner. The lone score proved to be the game-winner.
The Pioneers, who have reached the NCAA finals in back-to-back seasons, finished both years with losses by one goal in each contest.
For their efforts through the NCAA Tournament, seniors Taylor-Bay Sutton, Wilson, and Crouse were selected to the 2014 NCAA All-Tournament squad.
The LIU Post field hockey team was led by head coach Raenee Savin.
This article was originally published in the Pioneer, the award-winning student newspaper of LIU Post, www.liupostpioneer.com, and is republished here by Blank Slate Media with the permission of the Pioneer.
