NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT - Niklas Thanhofer needed just 40 minutes and 50 seconds to give LIU the lead, propelling the Black Knights to a 2-1 victory over Central Conn. St. before 247 fans at CCSU Soccer Field, continuing the Blue Devils' four-match losing streak.
The early breakthrough set the tone for what became a tense defensive battle, with both teams marshaling their resources to either protect or overcome the deficit. Central Conn. St. managed to keep LIU at bay for a while, but the Black Knights' persistence paid off in the 62nd minute when Joey Tata slotted home his goal, assisted by Youssef Shafei's incisive pass.
The first half was characterized by LIU's aggressive pressing and Central Conn. St.'s attempts to establish a rhythm. The Blue Devils struggled to create clear chances, while LIU's forward line, led by Thanhofer, posed a constant threat. In the 31st minute, Central Conn. St.'s goalkeeper made a crucial save to deny LIU's doubling the lead. The home team's best chance came in the 44th minute when a promising attack was snuffed out by LIU's defense.
As the second half unfolded, LIU continued to dictate the pace, with Tata's goal giving them the confidence to control possession. Central Conn. St. pushed hard for an equalizer but faced a resolute LIU defense. The Blue Devils' efforts eventually yielded results in the 84th minute when Christian Blank scored, assisted by Jack Stainrod's weighted pass, narrowing the deficit to 2-1.
Despite the late goal, Central Conn. St. couldn't muster enough momentum to equalize. The statistical ledger reveals that LIU outshot Central Conn. St. 23-13 overall and held a commanding 9-7 advantage in shots on target. The Black Knights also edged the corner-kick battle 4-3, though neither team capitalized on their set-piece opportunities.
The victory represents more than three points for LIU; it signifies their growing strength in the conference, now standing at 5-2-6 overall and 2-1-2 in conference play. Their next challenge will be against Howard. For Central Conn. St., the loss extends their losing streak to four games, leaving them at 0-11-2 overall and 0-4-1 in conference. They will look to regroup against Chicago St.
The afternoon belonged to LIU's frontline, particularly Thanhofer and Tata, whose goals changed the course of the game. As Central Conn. St. looks to bounce back, they must address their defensive vulnerabilities and improve their finishing.
Key Players:
Niklas Thanhofer (LIU) – Scored the opening goal in the 41st minute, setting the tone for LIU's victory with a well-timed finish.
Joey Tata (LIU) – Doubled LIU's lead with a clinical finish in the 62nd minute, capitalizing on Youssef Shafei's precise assist.
Christian Blank (Central Conn. St.) – Pulled one back for the Blue Devils with a late goal, assisted by Jack Stainrod's clever pass.
Youssef Shafei (LIU) – Provided the assist for Tata's goal, showcasing his vision and passing ability.