NEW HAVEN, Conn. (November 1, 2024) -- The Sacred Heart University field hockey team aimed to finish its 2024 season on a positive note. Facing LIU at Johnson Field, SHU also honored Anna Buhrmann prior to the game. In a matchup emblematic of their season, the Pioneers relied on a resilient defense that kept the game within reach for the full 60 minutes. However, an early, 10th-minute goal from LIU proved decisive, as the Pioneers struggled to break through offensively and ultimately fell, 1-0. This loss marked their sixth consecutive conference defeat, after opening their Northeast Conference slate with two wins.
LIU (7-9, 4-3 NEC) struck first in the opening quarter, taking advantage of a penalty corner before 10 minutes had elapsed. Eva Valentini initiated the setup, sending the pass to Lotte Haagmans on the right side of the circle. Haagmans's shot appeared to drift left, but Malena Silvani was in the right place at the right time, tapping in the rebound to put LIU on the scoreboard.
After Silvani's goal, both offenses struggled to find momentum as the defenses took control for the remainder of the first half. Following the early score, neither team managed a penalty corner, and only five shots were recorded—four of which came from LIU.
With its NEC Championship berth on the line, LIU dominated time of possession down the stretch, only surrendering one shot in the third quarter via SHU's (6-12, 2-6 NEC) first corner of the evening.
LIU goalkeeper Fleur Hofman (4-8) had a relatively quiet night in net but was solid when called upon, making three saves on six attempts to secure the victory. Meanwhile, Sacred Heart's Samantha Maresca (Mamaroneck, N.Y.), showcased her skill in a high-pressure role, stopping five of 15 attempts in her collegiate finale to keep her team within reach, yet ultimately took the loss (5-12) for the Pioneers.
The Pioneers' best chance to equalize came in the 56th minute, setting up for their third and final penalty corner. However, in keeping with the evening's defensive theme, LIU's backline stayed firm, preventing any shot on goal and effectively sealing the win and their place in the NEC postseason.
