Box Score

LORETTO, Pa. – The LIU Brooklyn men's soccer team Northeast Conference Championship dreams were dashed on Friday evening, as the Blackbirds fell to top seed and host Saint Francis U., 1-0 in frigid conditions.
 
Saint Francis began the game with three shots, but none were able to fall. Freshman Brian Paredes had the Blackbirds' first shot of the game on with 33 minutes to go, but the ball went wide.
 
The Red Flash were able to score a few minutes later. Goalkeeper Logan Keys made a save on a shot from Ryan Byers, but the rebounded landed in front of Pedro Neto, who fired the shot back into the net to take the lead. 
 
Play stayed largely in the midfield for the duration of the first half, with both teams getting a couple of opportunities. Junior Tanner Sica had a perfect header shot off a corner kick from freshman Dennis Amvrosiatos but SFU goalkeeper Andrew Garcia made the save to keep the game at 1-0.
 
Coming out of the half, the Blackbirds had a bit of a momentum surge, taking three straight shots with several calls heading their way. Senior Brice Merwine had a bullet of a shot near the left corner of the area, but Garcia got a hand on it.
 
Momentum then shifted back to the Red Flash, taking four shots in a row, with two off target and Keys making the saves for the other two.
 
The Blackbirds had another chance with 23 minutes to go, as play brought Garcia out of the box, leaving an empty net. Senior David Nuernberg got a foot on it, but the ball sailed high. Amvrosiatos had another high shot with just under 14 to go.
 
LIU Brooklyn had one last chance with just over a minute to go, as a foul on the Red Flash put the free kick right in the center of the top of the box. Merwine's shot just hit the top of the crossbar and flew over, as Saint Francis went on to win the game.
 
Keys finished with 11 saves, while Merwine and Nuernberg each had three shots apiece. Saint Francis led in shots 18-10, as LIU took seven of its shots in the second half.
 
LIU Brooklyn finishes with a 5-12-0 record after their first postseason appearance in 10 years.