BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The LIU Brooklyn men's soccer team defeated Saint Francis University in overtime on Sunday afternoon, 1-0. Freshman
Rasmus Hansen scored the game-winning goal for the Blackbirds, who remain undefeated in Northeast Conference play with a record of 4-0. The perfect mark through four games is the longest winning streak to open a league season since the 1992 season.
Early in the first half, SFU had the first shot of the game from just outside the box that went high. In the 23rd minute, freshman
Simen Hestnes dribbled down the field and got a shot off from 10 yards that was blocked by the Red Flash defense. A few minutes later, Hestnes had another scoring opportunity for the Blackbirds after he broke away from the SFU defense, but the keeper was able to make the save.
Senior
Nahuel Medina had a header shot off of a corner from Hansen that was intercepted by the Red Flash keeper in the 29th minute. SFU's Andres Vega went on-on-one with senior keeper
Logan Keys in the 42nd minute and Keys dove to deflect the shot, keeping the Red Flash off the board. The score would remain 0-0 going into the second half.
In the 45th minute of play, NEC Player of the Week, Mario Mastrangelo, took a free kick for the Red Flash, getting it passed the LIU defense, but Keys was there to make the save. Vegas had another one-on-one opportunity against Keys in the 62nd minute, in which Keys made another impressive save for the Blackbirds.
Senior
Tanner Sica took a shot from 25 yards that was blocked by the SFU defense in the 64th minute. Freshman Filip Nordstrom sent a cross to Hestnes inside the box in the 84th minute, but he was unable to find the back of the net. Regulation would remain scoreless, forcing an overtime decision.
In the 95th minute, Sica had the first scoring opportunity in overtime from 25 yards that missed high. Less than a minute later, Hansen took his shot from the same distance and found the upper right corner of the goal, giving LIU its fourth straight NEC victory. Keys had six saves on the match and Hansen now has six goals on the season.
UP NEXTLIU will travel to Central Connecticut on Sunday, Oct. 25 for its matchup against the Blue Devils starting at 4:00 p.m.