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2014 LIU Brooklyn Men's Soccer Video Preview
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – With an experienced squad in the fold, the LIU Brooklyn men's soccer team begins the 2014 season this weekend with two away matches in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Blackbirds take on No. 19 UMBC in their season opener on Friday, Aug. 29 at 7:00 p.m., followed by a match at Delaware on Sunday, Aug. 31 at 1:00 p.m.
Head coach TJ Kostecky, now in his 16th season at LIU Brooklyn, returns 14 letterwinners from last year's squad, with eight seniors at the forefront. The Blackbirds also welcome a promising freshman class of eight.
The eight seniors have taken a role in mentoring the eight freshmen, which has led to direct results during preseason training.
"From the first day, one of the things we changed is that we've had them take a mentorship role for the eight new players that we have in the program and in terms of how we do some things philosophically on the field, how we train on the field and different parts of vision," Kostecky said. "They've mentored the new players in our philosophy and because of that, the progress has been rapid."
A year ago, LIU Brooklyn finished in a tie for fifth with 2012 champion Fairleigh Dickinson in the Northeast Conference standings, just shy of clinching an Northeast Conference tournament berth.
"All the guys in some capacity have moved forward and provided us in some great hope in having a great season," Kostecky said.
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN: FORWARD
Upperclassmen will compose much of the offense this season. Senior Brice Merwine led the Blackbirds in points last season, scoring two goals and recording three assists. He started all 17 games, with his best performance coming against Robert Morris. He scored the game-winning goal and had one assist.
Senior David Nuernberg played 12 games for the Blackbirds last season before falling to injury, but is back at the front for LIU Brooklyn. Nuernberg took 14 shots in 2013, good for fourth on the team. Junior Stephen Mensah will also compete for playing time as a forward.
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN: MIDFIELD
The Blackbirds have a number of dangerous players in the midfield, including juniors Tanner Sica and Nahuel Medina. Sica was an All-NEC Second Team selection in 2013, leading the Blackbirds with 35 shots and tallying one goal and one assist on the year. Medina also posted one goal and one assist, including the game-winner against Saint Francis U. last year and was second behind Sica in shots with 22.
Senior Nick Cavaretta will bring experience to the midfield after appearing in seven games for the Blackbirds last season. Both him and sophomore Raffi Gregorian have helped establish a good rhythm in play during preseason training.
Newcomers Naeem Charles, Isak Doumbia, Dennis Amvrosiatos and Nathaniel Brown have also shown promise on all sides of the field and will round out the position.
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN: DEFENSE
Seniors Matt Mummert, Andre LeBlanc, Jacob Smith, Tyler Draovitch and Keaton Sprague, along with sophomore Ryan Herold led a strong defensive line in 2013, and look to do the same this year. The Blackbirds held opponents to 1.41 goals allowed per game to rank fourth in the conference.
Mummert started all 17 games for LIU last year, and has been a strong voice for the Blackbirds throughout his career.
LeBlanc and Smith started 16 games apiece, while Draovitch earned time as starter in the last 10 games of the season. Sprague battled through injury in 2013 but was very effective in his 529 minutes of play.
Freshman Brian Paredes and Nicholas Sica both performed well during preseason and are also expected to make an immediate impact.
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN: GOALKEEPERS
Redshirt sophomore Logan Keys has taken charge in organizing the backline and providing stability in goal for the Blackbirds. Keys ranked third in the NEC in 2013 in save percentage at .803 after taking over the starting job in the second half of the season. Also in the running for time in goal are newcomers Michael Ramsey and Cole Palmer.
OPENING WEEKEND
The Blackbirds begin the season against two of the strongest teams in the country. UMBC was ranked No. 19 in the NSCAA preseason poll. The Retrievers were also the unanimous favorite in the America East preseason coaches' poll. Senior defender Oumar Ballo, a member of the 2014 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, leads a team that returns eight starters from 2013.
Delaware received votes in the NSCAA preseason poll, and is also slated to finish atop its conference, the Colonial Athletic Association. The Blue Hens return Guillermo Delgado, named the CAA Preseason Player of the Year.
"It's exciting that we're playing two of the best teams in the country out of the gate," said Kostecky. "We're excited to go down there and compete right away, and I firmly believe this squad will be able to compete immediately with them."
UP NEXT
The Blackbirds return home to LIU Field for a three-game homestand beginning Sunday, Sept. 7 against Saint Joseph's. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.