With a rank of No. 5 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division II Top-25-Poll released on Oct. 11, the LIU Post men’s soccer team and its undefeated record added two more victories last weekend.
First, the team traveled to Rochester for a battle with Roberts Wesleyan College on Friday, Oct. 14.
Although the Pioneers have the sixth-highest scoring average in Division II, their defense was their calling card in the game against Roberts Wesleyan as they pitched a 1-0 shutout for their 10th victory of the season.
The atmosphere among the players this winning season is great. “We have the mentality that we’re going to win the game regardless of the opponent, but it’s very important to always be humble,” said junior back and team captain David Arvidsson.
The lone goal in the game against Roberts Wesleyan came in the 13th minute off the foot of Arvidsson.
He ripped a shot over the goalie’s outstretched arms and under the cross bar for his first goal of the season. Junior midfielder Harry Pearse assisted on the goal.
The defense for the Pioneers was stellar, limiting Roberts Wesleyan to six shots, none of which found the back of the net.
On the flip side, the Pioneers totaled 12 shots, good enough for a 2:1 advantage, which helped the Pioneers achieve the victory.
The Pioneer offense was led by Pearse, who had six total shots. Although none of them connected, they put pressure on the defense and kept the Pioneers on the attack.
In the net, senior LIU Post goal keeper Jesper Malmstrom tied a game-high in saves, with five.
After his performance, Malmstrom said, “Not facing many shots is a sign that the team is doing well, both in possessing the ball and on defense.
As a keeper you just have to make sure to be ready for the few game changing moments, and do your part to keep a clean sheet.”
Speaking of clean sheets, Malmstrom recorded his fourth shutout of the season.
The men’s soccer team had its second victory of the weekend on Sunday, Oct. 16 against Daemen College in Amherst, N.Y., with a final score of 8-1.
The Pioneers’ record is currently 11-0-1 in the 2016 fall season and 4-0-1 in conference play.
The team has five more regular season matches, all of them conference matches before the conference championships and NCAA Division II tournament.
The Pioneers are looking to build on several successful seasons and reach the tournament, a feat they have accomplished since 2012.
Head LIU Post men’s soccer coach Andreas Lindberg and his team return to the pitch on Thursday, Oct. 20, against Molloy College in Rockville Centre.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
This article was originally published in the Pioneer, LIU Post’s award-winning student newspaper that is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2016, www.liupostpioneer.com.
The article is republished by Blank Slate Media with the permission of the Pioneer.
Pioneers keep winning streak alive
By Pioneer Staff
