MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. -
Aidan Zuhoski scored the game-winning goal in overtime and the Long Island University men's lacrosse team defeated (3) Cleveland State University, 15-14, on Thursday night in the semifinals of the NEC Tournament. The win secured LIU's spot in Saturday's NEC Championship Game, the program's first conference championship game appearance in Division I.
Zuhoski led the way, tying a season high with five goals.
Cameron Connolly followed with two goals and one assist.
Ben Schuster and
Koen Block each also recorded multi-goal games, with Block scoring his first two goals of the season successively early in the third quarter.
Tyler Davide,
Ryan Fountain, and
Kyle Cochran led a strong defensive effort. Davide scored just his second goal of the season with three ground balls, Fountain caused five turnovers with five ground balls, and Cochran recorded an assist with four ground balls and one caused turnover.
LIU outshot Cleveland State 41-36. Goaltender
Brayden Wilcken made 10 saves.
LIU will meet No. 1 seed and host institution Robert Morris University in Saturday's NEC Championship Game. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. Television coverage will be available digitally on ESPN+.
