Box Score

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Two goals early in each half lifted the LIU Brooklyn men's soccer to a 2-1 win over Howard to close out the non-conference portion of the schedule.

Freshman forward Nathan Stewart and sophomore midfielder Brian Alumbaugh each added a goal to give the Blackbirds their third win of the season. LIU Brooklyn outshot Howard 17-5 on the day.

The Blackbirds controlled the ball for most of the game, with seven shots in the first half.

They struck early on in the sixth minute, when Jacob Smith found Alumbaugh in the center of the box. Alumbaugh chipped the ball up over Howard goalkeeper Eric Hamilton and into the back of the net to give LIU Brooklyn the early lead.

The Blackbirds continued to control posession, only allowing two shots from the Bison, and kept the ball in Howard territory to close out the first half. 

The second half started out much like the first. Two minutes into the second half, junior forward Brice Merwine took a shot that was deflected off the post. But Stewart was there to get the direct rebound and send the ball past Hamilton to put LIU Brooklyn up, 2-0.

The Bison were not done yet, however. Howard was able to get on the board in the 59th minute, after goalkeeper John Connolly came out from the goal to try and grab the ball. Rahman Alarape used the opportunity to take a shot on the empty net and keep Howard right in the game.

Despite heavy physical play, the Blackbirds were able to hold on to their lead and win the match. Merwine, Lockhart and sophomore midfielder Tanner Sica each had four shots on the day.

LIU Brooklyn begins its Northeast Conference schedule next Friday against Central Connecticut, in New Britain, Conn. The match kicks off at 7:00 p.m.