Sharks post first win of Gillett era

LIU women top Delaware State to even record at 1-1

August 23, 2022 John Torenli, Sports Editor

Maria Camila Orozco (center) is mobbed by teammates after scoring LIU's first goal of the new season Sunday vs. Delaware State. Photo courtesy of LIU Athletics

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Long Island University women’s soccer rookie head coach Lucy Gillett saw her preseason practices and a few days of hard work after a season-opening loss manifest themselves into a winning formula on Sunday afternoon.

Senior Maria Camila Orozco scored just three minutes into play and Gina Proviano added another tally as the Sharks blanked visiting Delaware State, 2-0, in front of 165 fans at LIU Soccer Park in Brookville, N.Y.

After a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of NJIT in last Thursday’s season opener, the Sharks (1-1) were eager to get Gillett, a former assistant at St. John’s and professional goalkeeper in England, her first collegiate victory.

Orozco’s quick goal, which came off a steal and feed from Taylor Curcio, was a blistering shot off her right foot that beat Delaware State netminder Ashley Maribo to the upper right corner of the net.

The fast start and ensuing couple of saves by redshirt freshman goalie Eva Katsaitis bolstered an LIU attack that put nine shots on goal.

Proviano’s score in the 70th minute helped the Sharks breath a bit easier down the stretch as they rolled thereafter on their home pitch.

“It’s good to get that first win. Hopefully there’s many more to come,” Gillett said. “It’s great to see the girls performing well and putting what we worked on in practice into play today.”

Curcio, who fed Orozco for her first goal since March 16, 2021, relished the teamwork that went into the Sharks’ opening tally of the year.

“When I saw Maria making the run through, she was in a perfect position,” Curcio said. “I just slotted it through, and she got the job done. It was great teamwork and communication. That’s what it takes.”

LIU will return to action Thursday vs. visiting Saint Peter’s at 5 p.m.

Over at Brooklyn Bridge Park, the St. Francis Brooklyn women’s squad was unable to come away with a win in its home opener, dropping a 1-0 decision to New Hampshire in front of approximately 100 fans.

Behind reigning Northeast Conference Prime Performer of the Week Klil Keshwar’s goaltending, the Terriers (0-1-1) stayed in it until an own goal proved to be the lone tally of the day in the 76th minute.

Despite great goaltending from senior Klil Keshwar, the SFC women will be seeking their first win of the year Thursday at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo courtesy of SFC Brooklyn Athletics

SFC, which battled to a 1-1 draw in front of Keshwar’s five saves in a season-opening 1-1 draw at Canisius in Buffalo, N.Y., last Thursday, managed 11 shots, including four on goal, against New Hampshire.

Keshwar, who made three more saves against UNH, came out of her net and nearly scored the equalizer off a corner kick in the closing moments of regulation.

But the two-time NEC Defensive Player of the Week from a season ago missed wide with her header attempt.

The Terriers will be back in action at BPP on Thursday afternoon vs. Hartford.

The SFC men’s squad will kick off the 2022 campaign at UMass-Lowell on Thursday afternoon while defending NEC titleholder LIU will be in Brookville to host Stony Brook Thursday after the Sharks receive their championship rings in a pre-game ceremony.

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Brooklyn College named Creus Hamilton the new head coach of the school’s men’s and women’s cross-country programs earlier this month.

Hamilton, who will make his debut on Sept. 10 at the Purchase College Invitational, replaces long-time coach and BC alum Deana Carrington at the helm.

The former New York Institute of Technology track standout has also worked in high school track and field coaching and is a private trainer and performance coach.

The Brooklyn College women’s and men’s track and field teams will be led by new head coach Creus Hamilton beginning in September. Photo courtesy of BC Athletics

“I am thrilled to have been selected to lead the Brooklyn College Women and Men’s Cross Country program,” Hamilton said.

“I am excited that this position will allow me to utilize my many years of experience and skills gained to add value to the college coaching profession. I enjoy helping athletes discover their potential, and I am looking forward to ushering in an exciting and successful era of cross country for the Brooklyn College community.”

Hamilton still competes at the Master’s level, ranking No. 1 nationally and No. 6 in the world in the USATF 200-meter dash as recently as 2016.

“We are happy to welcome Creus and are excited about what he brings to Brooklyn with his extensive experience in the sport and enthusiasm,” BC Athletic Director Bruce Filosa said.

“With his approach to helping athletes consistently get better, we look forward to the future of the BC Cross Country program under his leadership.”