BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – It was a special day for the No. 12/14 LIU Post men's lacrosse team, as the Pioneers downed the University of the District of Columbia, 18-7, to improve to 4-0 in East Coast Conference play at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium April 17.
 
The biggest victory may not have shown up on the scoreboard however.
 
Junior Thomas Liantonio made his return to the field after nearly two years of absence due to injuries. The Miller place native last played in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals against Merrimack College on May 14, 2016. During his return, Liantonio led the Pioneers in scoring with four goals and an assist for five points.
 
"It was a great team win today," remarked head coach Eric Wolf. "We brought a lot of energy and it was great getting 5-5 back out there today."
 
Liantonio gave the Pioneers the lead for good early in the contest. After the Firebirds made it 1-1 early in the first quarter, Liantonio shook free from his defender and beat the goalkeeper one-on-one to give LIU Post a 2-1 advantage. The tally sparked a 5-0 run for the Green and Gold, capped off by another Liantonio strike to put the Pioneers ahead 6-1 early in the second stanza.
 
LIU Post took a 7-3 lead into halftime and broke the game open with 11 second-half goals to come away with the 18-7 victory.
 
The Pioneers held a significant 48-29 advantage in shots, while also dominating the ground game with a 36-22 edge in ground balls.
 
LIU Post takes its six-game winning streak on the road for the latest chapter in the Battle of the Boulevard rivalry with neighboring New York Institute of Technology on Saturday, April 21 at 400 p.m.