Gans lifts Women's Soccer to 1-1 draw at Sacred Heart

(boxscore)

10/1/04 -- Sophomore Christine Gans (Pittsburgh, Pa.) scored in the sixth minute off a feed from junior Meghann McCormick (Liverpool, N.Y.) as Long Island played to a 1-1 draw at Sacred Heart in Fairfield, Conn.

Gans tallied her second goal of the season. McCormick served the ball from her left midfield spot to Gans, who headed it past goalkeeper Ashley Mocarski from the right midfield.

The Blackbirds (5-3-1, 2-0-1 NEC) carried much of their first half momentum into the second half and controlled the tempo. The Pioneers thought they had the game tied in the 54th minute when Orlagh Cullen played a long pass to senior Christel Kalweit, but she blasted a shot of the cross bar and sophomore goalie Stephanie Kansky (Bellevue, Wash.) quickly snatched the ball.

Sacred Heart (2-6-2, 0-1-2), which fired 16 shots, finally broke through in the 80th minute as Nathalie Urbas took a shot from the top of the box that Dana Sheftic got her foot on and redirect in.

Each team had solid opportunities to score in the final minutes. Kalweit broke free down the left side and put a shot on the left post, but Kansky made the stop. With three minutes to play in regulation, sophomore Allison Andreano (Denville, N.J.) fired a shot toward the far post and reserve keeper Kathleen Mulheran made a diving save.

Kansky recorded six saves and junior Jackie McCormick (Liverpool, N.Y.) fired four shots for the Blackbirds.

LIU visits Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday for a 1:00 pm start.