Trailing 12-4 at halftime, the Central Connecticut women's lacrosse team turned up the defensive pressure and held LIU Brooklyn to just two second half goals, but still fell short in a 14-10 home setback to the Blackbirds on Friday. The loss drops CCSU to 2-8 overall and 0-1 in Northeast Conference play. LIU is now 4-7 overall and 1-0 in league action. The Central defense, led by senior goalkeeper Jackie Branthover who made eight second half saves, held the Blackbirds to just a pair of goals after halftime. Trailing by nine at one point in the first half, the Blue Devils got as close as 13-9 late in the second half before a goal from LIU's Kaylee Riggins pushed the score to 14-9 with 1:23 to play. Central had used a four-goal run to cut into the Blackbird lead earlier in the period. Branthover ended the game with 11 total saves in the loss. LIU's Sam Kidd made nine saves to record her fourth win of the season. Junior Alaigra Usher and classmate Morgan Sinton each posted three goals for the Blue Devils in the loss. Junior Molly Coogan added a goal and two assists. LIU was led by Amanda Masullo who had a game-high six goals. Rachel Masullo had three goals to go along with a pair of assists. The Blue Devils are back in action on Sunday traveling to face Sacred Heart in Fairfield beginning at 1 p.m.