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CLINTON, S.C. – The LIU Brooklyn men's soccer team begins the 2015 season this weekend with two away matches. The Blackbirds will take on Presbyterian on Friday, Aug. 28 at 7:00 p.m. in Clinton, S.C., then head to Asheville, N.C., to go up against UNC Asheville on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
ABOUT THE BLACKBIRDS
LIU returns 16 letterwinners from last year's squad and welcomes a talented group of newcomers when they take the field on Friday.
The top returning player for LIU is senior Tanner Sica, who was named to the All-NEC Second Team a season ago after piling up six assists in 16 contests. The two-time All-NEC honoree is one of seven starters that remain from the 2014 roster for the Blackbirds.
Last year's fourth place finish in the Northeastern Conference was the highest for the Blackbirds since 2004, when they tied for second with Saint Francis U. LIU will look to continue their momentum and earn another conference tournament bid and beyond in their 2015 campaign.
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN: FORWARD
The Blackbirds lost a dangerous offensive weapon to graduation in 2014 All-NEC First Team selection and CoSIDA Academic All-American Brice Merwine, but a promising local duo is expected to contribute at the forward position this year.
Redshirt junior and Bronx native Stephen Mensah missed all of last season due to injury, while redshirt freshman Romario Guscott, who hails from Jamaica but grew up in the Bronx, put together a stellar list of accomplishments in high school. He was selected to play in the NYC Mayor's Cup as one of the best players in New York City, and was also the top scorer for Manhattan SC when they won an NPL national title.
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN: MIDFIELD
Head coach TJ Kostecky has a number of options at his disposal this season, including returning players Dennis Amvrosiatos, Naeem Charles, Isak Doumbia, Raffi Gregorian, Nahuel Medina and Keaton Sprague.
Amvrosiatos, Charles and Doumbia all contributed solid minutes in their first season with the Blackbirds last year, while veterans Gregorian, Medina and Sprague will provide senior leadership in the middle of the pitch. Junior Ryan Herold is also in the mix of returning players with playing experience.
Incoming freshmen Rasmus Hansen, Simen Hestnes, Michael Maldonado and Christoffer Bjarre Solbakken will all compete for playing time and have extensive international experience. Hestnes and Bjarre Solbakken both hail from Norway, while Hansen comes to downtown Brooklyn via Denmark. Maldonado played his high school soccer at Grand Street Campus but also spent time playing soccer in his native Ecuador.
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN: DEFENSE
LIU lost a few pieces of its back line from last season, but have several players in position to step in and take the reigns for 2015. Leading the defense for the Blackbirds will be sophomore Brian Paredes, who tallied 13 starts last season, along with redshirt seniors Tyler Draovitch and Jacob Smith, both of whom played active roles for LIU in 2014.
Redshirt freshman Nicholas Sica, brother of Tanner Sica, will see his first collegiate action in 2015 along with an incoming freshmen duo from Sweden, Filip Nordström and Erik Wahlin.
POSTIONAL BREAKDOWN: GOALKEEPERS
LIU Brooklyn has a trio of goalkeepers returning from last year, led by redshirt junior Logan Keys and sophomore Cole Palmer. Keys led the NEC in saves per game with a 5.87 average last year, while Palmer led the team with a 1.92 goals-against average. Redshirt freshman Michael Ramsey will also vie for time.
ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
Presbyterian ended their 2014 season with a 1-14 record and return seven starters from last season. The Blue Hose added six freshmen and a transfer who was a two-time MVP at NAIA Milligan College (Tenn.). Presbyterian tied Erskine College 3-3 in an exhibition this past Saturday at Martin Stadium. The match will be the first between the two schools.
UNC Asheville ended last season with a 5-9-3 record and return 14 letterwinners, who will be joined by 12 newcomers this season, including five transfers and seven freshmen. Last time the Blackbirds faced the Bulldogs, LIU dropped a double-overtime decision, 2-1, back in 2003.
GOING FOR 100
Head coach TJ Kostecky, now in his 17th season at LIU Brooklyn, will be vying for his 100th win as the head coach of the Blackbirds Friday night. He would be the second men's soccer coach to achieve this feat at LIU Brooklyn, behind LIU Athletics Hall of Fame coach Arnold Ramirez.
UP NEXT
The Blackbirds will host the First Annual Astroturf Brooklyn Bridge Cup next weekend at LIU Field, in conjunction with St. Francis Brooklyn. Their home opener will be Friday, Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m. against St. Bonaventure, followed by a match against UMass Lowell on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.