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BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The LIU Brooklyn men's soccer team host Northeast Conference rivals Robert Morris and Saint Francis University this weekend at LIU Field. LIU goes up against the Colonials on Friday, Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18 is Alumni Day for the Blackbirds, as they face the Red Flash at 1:00 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
LIU (5-5-2, 2-0-0 NEC) earned a shutout win, 1-0, over NEC rival Bryant on Sunday afternoon. Freshman Simen Hestnes scored late in the first half to give the Blackbirds a 1-0 lead, but it was the strong LIU defense that helped secure a second consecutive win for the Blackbirds this weekend.
ABOUT THE BLACKBIRDS
LIU is currently first in the NEC rankings, after two wins in the opening weekend of conference play against Fairleigh Dickinson and Bryant. Freshman Rasmus Hansen continues to lead the Blackbirds' offense, recording five goals and three assists after the first weekend of conference play. Fellow freshman Simen Hestnes has proven to be an offensive threat for LIU, having scored two goals and three assists for the Blackbirds. Senior keeper Logan Keys has recorded 20 saves going into the second week of NEC competition.
ABOUT THE COLONIALS
Robert Morris is 7-5-0 overall this season and 1-0-0 in conference, after earning a shutout win over Sacred Heart last Friday, 3-0. Senior Neco Brett has been a strong force for the Colonials this season, recording nine goals and three assists. The Kingston, Jamaica native was named the NEC Player of the Week in September, after scoring four goals in one match, and is the reigning two-time NEC Player of the Year. Freshman Lucas Puntillo currently leads the NEC with five assists, and ranks second in points (13) and third in goals (four). The senior keeper for Robert Morris, Brenden Alfery, has 66 saves on the season so far.
ABOUT THE RED FLASH
St. Francis U (6-3-3, 1-0-0 NEC) swept the NEC men's soccer awards this week following their 6-1 victory over Sacred Heart last Sunday. Junior Francis de Vries earned his second consecutive NEC Player of the Week award and third this season after tallying a goal and two assists for the Red Flash in matches versus Duquesne and West Virginia. Freshman Mario Mastrangelo scored three goals in fourteen minutes in Saint Francis U's 6-1 victory over Sacred Heart on Sunday to earn his second NEC Rookie of the Week honor. Senior keeper Andrew Garcia records 30 saves heading into the second weekend of conference play.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Last season the Blackbirds defeated the Colonials 1-0, bringing the all-time series record to 19-14-1.
LIU fell to the Red Flash last year, 1-0, and the series record stands at 10-16-2. The last time the Blackbirds won against St. Francis U was a shutout victory, 1-0, in 2008.
UP NEXT
LIU will travel to Central Connecticut on Sunday, Oct. 25 for its matchup against the Blue Devils starting at 4:00 p.m.