BROOKVILLE, N.Y. - The La Salle University men's soccer team held a pair of one-goal leads during the first half, but couldn't hang on in a 3-2 loss at LIU on Wednesday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Explorers opened the scoring in the 17th minute when sophomore Junior Nare sent a ball into the box that was redirected by an LIU defender and into the back of the net.
• Five minutes later, the Sharks tied the score when Emil Jaaskelainen punched home a rebound of an initial LIU shot.
• The high-scoring first half continued in the 33rd minute when freshman Daniel Kim rifled home an attempt from 12 yards out after senior Nigel Buckley sent a centering pass into the box from the right side.
• Once again, the home team came back to tie the game, this time in the 37th minute off a free kick from just outside the box.
• In the second half, La Salle missed a prime opportunity to take the lead following a foul that resulted in an indirect free kick from just outside the goal area, six yards away.
• After a quick touch, senior Sam DeCencio left-footed a shot off the left post and the ball bounded over the crossbar for a goalkick.
• Less than three minutes later, Matthias Heiland put the Sharks in front off a feed from Jaaskelainen.
• La Salle continued to fight and appeared to have knotted the contest in the 80th minute as senior Omari Cotterell sent a shot past the LIU goalkeeper.
• The play, however, was controversially ruled offsides and the Explorers could not find the finishing touch the rest of the way.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Kim and senior Ike Hollinger led the Explorers offensively, combining for nine shots between them.
• LIU led the shot battle by a narrow 17-15 margin, with each team recording nine corner kicks.
• The contest was a physical one, as the two teams were issued a combined six yellow cards. 

UP NEXT:

• La Salle opens Atlantic 10 play on Saturday, Sept. 18 with a matchup against Fordham. The first 50 students in attendance will receive a free La Salle bucket hat, courtesy of La Salle Athletics.