LIU Post Pioneers Fall To Assumption College, 54-20

BROOKVILLE, New York – Scrambling to find the right play, the LIU Post football team suffered a tough loss to Assumption College, 54-20, Saturday afternoon at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium.

The Pioneers (3-2, 2-2 NE10) couldn’t catch a break. Heavy rain came down for most of the game, potentially making it hard for both teams to score. Assumption (5-0, 4-0 NE10) dominated from the start, their offense making contact early on, and defense holding LIU scoreless for the first half.

Senior quarterback, Yianni Gavalas (Manhasset, NY), who in the third quarter completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver, Deon Mash (Brooklyn, NY) to end the shutout. At 47-4, the Pioneers attempted to build much-needed momentum. Gavalas connected on a 60-yard touchdown pass with junior wide receiver, Amir Crenshaw (Bronx, NY) early in the fourth. Later, Gavalas found Deon Mash again in the endzone for a 7-yard completion.

With 2:10 left in the fourth quarter, Assumption didn’t let up. The Greyhounds sealed the Pioneers’ fate with an 18-yard touchdown, by sophomore running back, Khaleed Exum-Strong. The Pioneers, with no other options, wound up being stopped at the Greyhound’s one-yard line to end the game.

Disappointed, Head Coach, Bryan Collins said, “There is nothing good that came out of that. We have to evaluate what we are doing. Every player is going to be evaluated. Every coach. Every scheme that we do. How we dress. How we practice. Everything is going to be evaluated after that.”

The loss at home was eerily reminiscent of last week’s matchup against Bentley University, which saw the Pioneers lose big after falling behind early. But, when asked about the impact of inclement weather on Saturday, Coach Collins was not convinced the rain was to blame.

“It was like that for both teams. They handled it better. Field position was horrible in the first half for us, but we are a victim of our own circumstances. There is no blame, there is no excuse. That was just a better team being a better team,” Collins explained.

As for the next week, the LIU Post Pioneers will be on the practice field evaluating what they are doing and preparing themselves to win. The Pioneers will take on Southern Connecticut State at home on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 1 p.m.