WEST POINT, N.Y. – The LIU rugby team took to the pitch for the first time in nearly two years Friday, playing a best of three sevens match at Army. The Black Knights took three wins from the Sharks, 40-0, 22-5 and 34-8.
 
"First and foremost, it was absolutely incredible to finally be back on the pitch," head coach Colleen Doherty said. "The team has worked through so many challenges these past 524 days, and to open up our first match against a notoriously competitive team such as Army was a unique and great opportunity for us.  I think we showed a lot of promise in the game and really executed in certain areas, such as the breakdown and creating turnovers at key moments.  I also think we had more chances than the scoreboard reflected but unfortunately weren't able to finish… which comes with having a young team, and being out of the game for so long.  I am really proud of our athletes for working hard the entire series, making adjustments and improving as the matches went on. We look forward to what the rest of the spring brings us, and taking full advantage of being back on the pitch."
 
 
Game 1
The LIU Sharks came out of the gate early and junior Brianna Thomas was able to create a crucial turnover early in the first half at the breakdown and battled up the field toward scoring territory.  West Point however, was able to capitalize on stealing the ball back and scored a try and matching conversion with 3 and half minutes into the half.  The Knights were able to keep momentum and score about minute later with another successful conversion.  The sharks fought back again to get into their own scoring territory but couldn't finish.  Army was able to notch one more try and conversion in before the end of the half with time expired on the clock.
 
Army started the second half strong scoring out the gate within the first minute extending their lead to 28 after a good kick.  After a penalty deep within LIU defensive end, the Knights touched another one down in the corner.  After the Knights committed a few infractions of their own, LIU once again was in scoring position, but a missed pass led to a turnover. An eventual last try and conversion for the Knights with no time remaining on the clock was good, bringing game one to a finish of 40-0.
 
Game 2
LIU was out of the gate quick in the second game, and showed their strength in creating turnovers in the breakdown to earn possession back, this time earned by junior Sydney Long.  LIU utilized their advantage and continued to attack up the field with strong carries, including one by senior Tatyanna Ogbue who almost crossed the line, and finally freshman Angelina Pollice was able to seal the deal, dotting down the first try of the match just over two minutes into the game.  Army answered with their own try after a penalty deep in LIU's defensive territory, tying the game 5-5 with under a minute to play. But Army was able to connect one final time, bringing the score to 10-5 at the half.
 
The second half showed opportunities early for the Sharks with one of the Knights carded and sent off the field for flagrant infraction. However, the Knights rallied, and were able to sneak a gap in the middle of the field for a long run and try two minutes into the half, followed by a successful conversion.  Army was able to connect one last time in the second half, bringing the final score for second match to 22-5.
 
Game 3
Army was first team out of the gate strong in this last match, and opened up with two tries and two conversions, giving them the early lead of 14-0.  The Sharks rallied with resilience and freshman Morgan Duger showed strength in the rucks, earnings possession back which yielded key yardage for LIU.  However, the Knights were able to connect one final time before the end of play, bringing the score to 19-0 going into the last half.
 
The Sharks started the second half with defensive pressure, forcing a knock-on and scrum in their favor just outside the 22. LIU won the scrum, and the backline combo of sophomore Haniyah Baugh, to freshman Ava Zopf to freshman Megan Burriesce put on a well-executed set piece play which forced the Knights to commit an offisides penalty inside their own 22.  Sydney Long was quick to capitalize on the penalty, and drove the ball over the try line to put the Sharks on the board.  One errant pass led to the seasoned Knights intercepting the ball and dotting the ball down just under the uprights, extending their lead with another successful conversion to 24-5 with only two and half minutes to play.  After consecutive penalties against Army, the Sharks found themselves in front of the uprights and Gina Police strategically executed a drop-kick penalty conversion to bolster another three points for LIU.  The Knights had the ball last, and got over the try line with time expired to bring the final score of day to 34-8.