Box Score

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - It was a memorable final home game for the LIU Brooklyn men's soccer seniors, as the Blackbirds defeated Sacred Heart, 3-1, to clinch their first Northeast Conference tournament berth since 2004 on Friday evening.

Two seniors, forwards Brice Merwine and David Nuernberg led the team to victory, accounting for all three goals on the day. Goalkeeper Logan Keys made five saves, and only let one goal in-a penalty shot in the 13th minute.

After Sacred Heart (0-14-2, 0-5-1- NEC) got on the board, however, LIU Brooklyn (5-10-0, 4-2-0 NEC) took control of the first half. Sophomore Naeem Charles sent a shot rebounding off Pioneers' goalkeeper Tucket Hackett, and Merwine was there to send that rebound back into the net to tie the game in the 23rd minute. 

Merwine would break the tie just four minutes later, after junior Tanner Sica sent the ball to Charles, who crossed it to Merwine. Merwine chipped the ball in the give the Blackbirds their first lead of the game, which they would not give up for the next 63 minutes.

Coming out of halftime, Sacred Heart attempted to find the equalizer with no avail. Nuernberg would give LIU Brooklyn a two-goal cushion in the 70th minute, gaining posession from a Sacred Heart player on the right side of the box and sending a shot past Hackett for the 3-1 lead. The Pioneers attempted to battle back but LIU Brooklyn's defense kept Sacred Heart from scoring again. 

Sica led with four shots on the day, while Merwine and Charles each took two. 

LIU Brooklyn plays its regular-season finale on Sunday, Nov. 9 in Brooklyn Heights against crosstown rival St. Francis Brooklyn at 1:00 p.m.