BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (Nov. 4, 2015) - On Wednesday, the 17th-ranked and top-seeded LIU Post men's soccer team used a four-goal first half to defeat fourth-seeded University of Bridgeport, 6-2, in an East Coast Conference Championship semifinal at Pioneer Soccer Park.
The Pioneers (13-2-2) will now face second-seeded New York Institute of Technology for the ECC title on Friday (Nov. 6) in Brookville.
It took less than a minute for the green and gold to get on the board. Senior midfielder
Matias Ruiz (Southampton, N.Y.) sent a through ball into the right side of the box, where freshman forward
Charlie Ledula (London, England) finished for the 1-0 lead.
In the third minute, the Purple Knights (10-7) responded with a goal of their own to tie it at 1-all.
From there, it was all LIU Post, with a little help.
In the ninth minute, the Pioneers sent a cross into the box that was tapped in by a Bridgeport defender, making it 2-1.
In the 11th minute, sophomore back
David Arvidsson (Gothenburg, Sweden) ripped a shot from about 28 yards out over the keeper's head for the 3-1 advantage.
Before halftime, senior midfielder
Per Forgaard (Stavanger, Norway) made it 4-1 Pioneers.
Junior keeper
Jesper Malmstrom (Linkopping, Sweden) turned aside a pair of shots in the opening half.
In the second half, Ledula scored his second of the game in the 52nd minute, before freshman forward
Toby Ilomuanya (South Orange, N.Y.) added a marker in the 74th minute, making it 6-1 Pioneers.
Bridgeport added a goal in the 84th minute for the 6-2 final.
Head Coach
Andreas Lindberg and his LIU Post squad will take on NYIT for the 2015 ECC crown on Friday (Nov. 6). The opening kick is slated for 1 p.m.