Perkoski Has Career Day In Loss To Long Island

A late five goal run by Long Island (2-4, 1-1) lifted the Blackbirds to a 16-15 victory over Central Connecticut (0-8, 0-3) on Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn, NY. CCSU was up 15-11 with 12:55 remaining in the game before LIU rattled off the last five goals in the next two minutes and 13 seconds. Neither team scored during the final 10 minutes of play and the Blackbirds held on for the 16-15 victory. Freshman attacker Ashley Perkoski had her best offensive output of the year, scoring four goals and assisting on another for the Blue Devils.

Central Connecticut took control half way through the first period when the Blue Devils went on 4-0 run to take a 9-4 lead. Perkoski scored her second goal of the game to spark the run, which was followed by unassisted goals from Kacey Bisienere and Stephanie John. Courtney Mooney put CCSU up five with a free position goal with 12 minutes left in the opening frame. LIU outscored Central 4-3 the rest of the half and the Blue Devils led 12-8 heading into the locker rooms.

Alexa Smead got the second half scoring started when she finished on a free position shot less than seven minutes in. LIU countered with three straight goals, two coming from sophomore Annie Kalata. Michele Conway countered with an unassisted goal for CCSU and Perkoski tallied her fourth of the game to give the Blue Devils their final score with 15:11 remaining in the game.

The Blackbirds score five goals within two minutes and 13 seconds to take a 16-15 lead that they would not relinquish. Kalata and freshman Ashley Prizio each scored two goals in the run. Junior midfielder Jenna Schauder scored the winning goal with 10:42 remaining.

The team statistics were even throughout the game as Long Island recorded 37 shots to CCSU's 36. The Blue Devils picked up 23 ground balls, while LIU recorded 21, and the Blackbirds were slightly more careless with the ball, holding a turnover disadvantage of 23-20.

John scored two goals this afternoon for Central Connecticut, moving her into sole possession of third place in CCSU annals for career goals. She has recorded 80 in her four seasons. Smead and Conway also finished with two goals in the defeat, while sophomore Cara Momnie led the Blue Devils with five draw controls. Senior goalkeeper Alice Lee finished with a game high 16 saves.

Kalata and Prizio led the Blackbirds as they each recorded four goals and one assist in the win. Jillian Maricondo picked up five ground balls and added five draw controls for Long Island on Sunday.

Central Connecticut falls to 0-8 on the season and are 0-3 in Northeast Conference play. The Blue Devils will next host UC Davis on Thursday March 26 at 12:30 p.m. Long Island improves to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in NEC action. The Blackbirds will next host Iona on Tuesday March 24 at 4:00 p.m.