HACKENSACK, N.J. – Three second-half goals helped the LIU Brooklyn men's soccer team secure a 3-2 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson in the Northeast Conference opener for both schools on Friday evening. Sophomore Naeem Charles, and seniors Nahuel Medina and Raffi Gregorian each found the back of the net for the Blackbirds, who improved to 4-5-2 on the season and 1-0-0 in NEC play.
 
In an evenly played first half, it was the Blackbirds who had the best chance of the period midway through. After a nice string of passes worked the ball all the way up the pitch, freshman Rasmus Hanson rocketed a shot from just outside the box that clanged off the crossbar and away from net in the 27^th minute.
 
LIU had a pair of corner kicks toward the end of the half, but the Knights cleared both relatively easily as the contest moved to halftime scoreless.
 
The iron was equally unkind to Fairleigh Dickinson early in the second half, as Christian Dietrich rifled a shot off the crossbar that came back out to the eight-yard box in the 47^th minute. A rebound header from Enver Caymaz did not have enough pace on it and trickled out for a goal kick.
 
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Logan Keys came up big in the 52^nd minute to keep the match scoreless, when he stonewalled a shot from distance by Jordon Ellison.
 
Moments later, a foul on FDU set up the first goal for the Blackbirds. Charles made a nice one-on-one move to draw the infraction right at the edge of the 18-yard box, then curled a beautifully-taken free kick just inside the far post to give LIU Brooklyn a 1-0 lead.
 
In the 68^th minute, the Blackbirds padded their lead as freshman Simen Hestnes made a quick turn off a throw in down the right side. Hestnes took one touch, made a slick pass through three FDU defenders right to the foot of junior Nahuel Medina, who one-touched a shot to the left side of goal to put the score at 2-0.
 
Just over one minute later, senior Raffi Gregorian caromed a shot off a Knight defender and into the back of the net to give LIU a commanding 3-0 lead with just over 20 minutes to go.
 
FDU did not go down without a fight, however, and responded with two quick goals to cut the margin to just one with over 20 minutes to play. But the Blackbirds were able to fend off all offensive attacks from there to secure the victory.
 
Keys closed with three saves to secure the victory in net and improve to 4-0-1 on the year, while Matthew Weigner suffered the loss for Fairleigh Dickinson.
 
LIU Brooklyn returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 11 at LIU Field against Bryant. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.