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BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Returning an experienced team, along with a new approach and group mindset, the LIU Brooklyn men's soccer team is poised for success in 2013.

 The Blackbirds, picked seventh in the Northeast Conference preseason poll, welcome back eight starters as well a handful of promising newcomers, and only graduated three starters from last season.
 
Head coach TJ Kostecky, now in his 15th season, said the theme of this season was largely about playing in the present in order to achieve a long-term goal of competing for the Northeast Conference championship in November.
 
"A short-term goal is for us to put ourselves in a position to win every game, to take each game separately, one game at a time," said Kostecky.
 
The experienced squad allows the team to grow both on and off the field, according to Kostecky.
 
"We've focused on empowering the players to take ownership of all facets of the game, including taking ownership of all the off the field duties," he said. "They've put together their own assignments and responsibilities to take care of everything off the field, which has translated into positive ownership of their play on the field."
 
"We've made a concerted effort to figure the game out," he continued. "To solve problems when they're happening, to be proactive as opposed to reactive as a team and up to this point, it's gone very well."
 
GOALKEEPERS
The Blackbirds will see depth in goal, with three keepers who can all compete for playing time. Senior John Connolly has shown promise in the preseason, after starting three matches last year and recorded eight saves against UC Riverside. Classmate Nathan Stockie started fourteen games for the Blackbirds in 2012, and tallied 92 saves and 6.20 per match, good enough to rank fourth among NCAA Division I keepers. Freshman Logan Keys will also be vying for time in goal after redshirting last season.
 
DEFENSE
In the back, juniors Matt Mummert and Jacob Smith are expected to start at center back. Mummert contributed in five matches in 2012, while Smith saw time in 18 matches despite playing hurt and was named to the College Sports Madness Preseason All-NEC Second Team.
 
Junior Andre LeBlanc, who played every minute of 12 matches last season, has fully recovered from a season-ending knee injury he suffered at Bryant. Sophomore Weston Meckes will continue in his role as a defender after recording 1,613 minutes, the most of any Blackbird in 2012, after starting all 18 matches.
 
LIU Brooklyn has a number of others who will provide depth in the backfield, including Tyler Dravoitch, Aram Bagramyan and freshman Kevin Lockhart. Dravoitch and Bagramyan, both juniors, also will contribute experience to the squad.
 
MIDFIELD
Sophomore Tanner Sica, who ranked second on the squad with three goals and 31 shots, including 15 on goal, returns at midfield for LIU Brooklyn, joined by fellow sophomores Brian Alumbaugh and Nahuel Medina and junior Brice Merwine.
 
Alumbaugh recorded the first point of his career last season after assisting on a game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over conference foe Mount St. Mary's and increased his playing time as the 2012 season progressed. Medina saw action in 17 matches and registered 20 shots to rank third on the team.  Merwine played in 10 games for the Blackbirds while also recording one shot.
 
The team could also see contributions from sophomore Robert Soto, who tallied one goal and one assist last year, while sophomore Keaton Sprague will look for playing time after recovering from injury. Freshman Ryan Herold has also shown potential as a midfielder during the preseason.
 
FORWARDS
A blend of veterans and rookies will compose the frontline for the Blackbirds. Junior David Nuernberg registered the first point of his LIU career in 2012 with an assist against Bryant before finding the back of the net for his first career goal as a Blackbird one match later against Sacred Heart. Freshman Nathan Stewart has stepped up during the preseason and should see match action early on.
 
Also providing support at forward for LIU Brooklyn are sophomores Stephen Mensah and Shaun Daly, and freshman David Gibbons.
 
The Blackbirds start off 2013 with a trip to the Bay Area to face San Francisco on Aug. 30, before heading to Moraga, Calif. for a matchup with Saint Mary's on Sept. 1. San Francisco was picked to finish fourth in the West Coast Conference, but lost West Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year Brenden Roslund, while Saint Mary's, also a WCC member, sits fifth in the preseason poll after graduating five seniors.
 
Kostecky said the first few games in California give the team a chance to face athletic squads that are quick on the ball, and will prepare LIU for the Northeast Conference portion of the season.
 
"We make a concerted effort to play a strong out of conference schedule and we're doing the same thing this year," he said. "That will always help us gauge where we are and prepare us for our conference."