PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – In a tightly contested matchup that could not be decided after two overtime frames, the Long Island University field hockey team came up short during a penalty-shootout, falling 3-2 against La Salle on Sunday afternoon. Sophomore forward Emma Braeckmans and junior forward Sammy Bell both scored their first goals of the season for the Sharks.
 
Offensively, the Sharks finished with a season-high 11 shots on goal. Bell led the team with eight shots, four of them were on target. Freshman defender Jonna Klein-Holte had four shots, with three of them on goal, Braeckmans had two shots, both of which were on target, while freshman midfielder Saarah Olton had two shots, one was on goal. Freshman forward Kaitlyn Olton had one shot that was on goal, and freshman forward Felicia King also had a shot. Bell and senior midfielder Taylor Brodsky both had an assist.
 
In goal, junior Rachel Vellis matched her season-high with nine saves. The defense successfully killed 18 out of the 20 penalty corners the Explorers had.
 
Bell had the first shot early in the game that was blocked by the Explorers defense. After Bell took another shot that missed wide, Braeckmans' first shot on goal was saved by the La Salle goalkeeper. The Explorers' first opportunity on net came off a penalty corner where the initial shot was blocked, but was able to find the back of the net on the rebound to take a 1-0 lead in the 10^th minute of the game.
 
Bell would connect with Braeckmans, who would even the game midway through the second quarter to get the Sharks on the board. Olton had an opportunity right before halftime, but her shot was saved. The Sharks played a tight defense the entire second quarter, and did not allow the Explorers to take a shot.
 
In a scoreless third quarter, the Sharks and Explorers both had opportunities to break open the tie with 11 combined penalty corners. The Sharks had three corners early in the quarter where Klein-Holte's two shots and Olton's shot were all saved. The Explorers would then have an opportunity on net with three penalty corners of their own, but Vellis made the save in goal and the second shot was blocked, keeping the game tied.
 
Bell had a scoring opportunity with a shot off another offensive corner, but her shot was saved. La Salle would have another slew of three penalty corners, but the defense did not allow them to break through as all three shots were blocked, wrapping up a scoreless third quarter.
 
La Salle took the lead once again early in the fourth quarter, but the Sharks would quickly respond with the tying goal less than a minute later, as Bell was able to find the back of the net off the pass from Brodsky. Vellis made four saves in a row in the 58^th minute to keep the game tied and force overtime.
 
In the first overtime frame, King fired off a quick shot that was blocked, and Bell nearly ended the game, but her shot hit the post. Neither team was able to score in the first 10-minute overtime period, sending the game to second overtime. The Explorers had back-to-back shots off penalty corners but Vellis made both saves to keep the game alive. La Salle had another corner, but the initial shot was blocked and Vellis saved the rebound shot. Bell had the final shot in second overtime, but the La Salle goalkeeper made the save.
 
After the two scoreless overtime frames, the game was decided by penalty-shootout. The Explorers won the shootout, 1-0.
 
The Sharks return home next Sunday, September 22 to take on the Towson Tigers. Game time at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium is slated for 12:00 pm.