The Knights forced overtime but a red card penalty early in the second period sealed a 2-1 loss at LIU in the Northeast Conference tournament semifinals Thursday.
The Knights finished the season as the No. 3 seed in the tourney, with a final record of 8-5-5 overall and 4-1-3 in the NEC. They lost to LIU 1-0 in the final regular second game and defeated Le Moyne 2-1 in the first round of the NEC.
FDU was the defending regular-season and tourney champion and was the NEC coaches’ pick to win it all in the preseason poll.
The tourney semifinals match was hard fought and intensity was high as second-half play happening in the spaces between on-field player injury assessments.
Overtime ended with both squads facing off at midfield in a tight circle.
FDU freshman Andreas Blaaholm scored his first collegiate goal in the 80th minute for a 1-1 tie.
The Knights pressured the LIU defense but were unable to convert a 13-1 advantage in shots in the second half.
In overtime, FDU’s Gabriel Le Guen was ejected 39 seconds into the first extra period on a red card and the Knights had to play the remainder of the match a man down.
FDU finished the match with 4 yellows and two red-card ejections. The Knights outshot LIU 24-8 and had 14 corners to 2 for LIU. Spencer King, FDU’s goalie, recorded two saves while LIU had five.
In the second overtime, LIU scored off a cross with nine minutes remaining and was able to hold off the Knights to advance to Sunday’s championship match against No. 4 seeded Sacred Heart, which advanced 5-3 on penalty kicks against No. 1 Saint Francis U.
