Staten Island, NY - The Wagner College field hockey team will return home for their third Northeast Conference (NEC) contest of the season on Thursday afternoon. They will be taking on the LIU Sharks with game time set for 3:00 PM at the Wagner College Field Hockey Complex. The game will be streamed live on NECFrontRow here with LiveStats also available here.

LAST TIME OUT FOR WAGNER...
The Seahawks captured their second consecutive victory of the season, defeating NEC member Merrimack, 2-1, in overtime last Thursday.
 
The Green & White, were outshot by the Warriors, 13-12, on the day, but controlled the game for most of the 60 minutes, earning nine corners to Merrimack's five. Freshman goalkeeper Erin Franklin stood tall in net once again, finishing the game with eight saves, while junior Agustina Deharbe was the offensive catalyst for the Seahawks, recording a goal and assist.

After a defensive minded first half the Wagner attack opened the scoring when Deharbe corralled a rebound off of a Sara Nelson shot attempt and fired a shot into the right corner of the net to give the Seahawks the 1-0 lead.
 
A Merrimack penalty stroke goal in the first minute of the fourth period knotted the game up at 1-1 with just over 14 minutes left to play, but another Warrior score minutes later seemed to be a final dagger. However, the goal was disallowed because the Warrior attack failed to take the ball out of the circle on a penalty corner, putting Wagner right back in the game.
 
The final horn would sound shortly, sending the Seahawks into their second overtime game of the season. However, this overtime experience would go differently for the Green & White as Merrimack never even saw the ball in the extra period. Off the opening whistle, Emma Brushingham brought the ball up the right sideline and found Deharbe, who dribbled into the circle and fired it on goal. Waiting in front of the keeper was Kira Mordvinov, who directed it past the Warrior keeper for the game winner only 26 seconds into OT.
 
NEC HONORS…
For their efforts, both Deharbe and Franklin were recognized by the NEC. Deharbe was named Co-Player of the Week, while Franklin earned Rookie of the Week honors for the second consecutive week. This marked the first time two Seahawk players have taken home weekly awards in the same week in program history.
 
ABOUT LIU...
The Sharks come into Thursday's contest with Wagner looking to build on their first win of the season, having just defeated NEC preseason favorite, Fairfield, in a penalty stroke shootout. With the win, the Sharks improved their record to 1-1; 1-1 NEC, after dropping their season-opener against NEC member, Rider, 1-0. 
 
Having Played both of their games at home in Brookville, NY, the Sharks will take to the road for the first time against Wagner, marking their first game of the season on AstroTurf. 
 
Head coach Raenee Savin, who is in her 17^th season at the helm of the LIU field hockey, which includes 15 years as the head coach of Division II member LIU Post, has relied on her senior goalkeeper Rachel Vellis. Vellis has played every minute in goal for the Sharks so far, recording nine saves with a save percentage of 0.818.
 
Offensively, LIU has been led by senior Sammy Bell and freshman Sol Espona who have registered five and three shots on the season, respectively. Espona has recorded the Sharks only goal on the season, a stunner against the Stags in the first five minutes. 
 
UP NEXT...
The Seahawks will stay on Grymes Hill for their final home contest with the Bryant Bulldogs on Thursday, April 5. It will be senior day for the Green & White, as second-year head coach Niki Miller will honor her lone senior, Claire Quigley, pregame. Game time is set for 3:00 PM and will be streamed live on NECFrontRow.