CLINTON, S.C. – The LIU Brooklyn men's soccer team defeated Presbyterian 3-1 Friday night in its season opener, scoring all three goals early in the second half. LIU is 1-0 on the season, while Presbyterian falls to 0-1.
 
Early in the 4^th minute, redshirt freshman Romario Guscott was able to get a shot off, but missed high. Freshman Simen Hestnes took his first shot in the 13^th minute that ultimately went wide. In the 20^th minute, Presbyterian's Thomas Valente tried to go for the back of the net, but redshirt junior Logan Keys stepped up and made his first save of the night for LIU.
 
In the 23^rd and 24^th minutes, the Blackbirds had four shots; three by sophomore Isak Doumbia and one by senior Tanner Sica off of a corner kick, but the ball did not get past the Presbyterian defense. The Blackbirds outshot the Blue Hose 6-3 in the scoreless first half.
 
Guscott scored the first goal of the season for the Blackbirds off of a cross sent in from Hestnes on the left side in the 47^th minute. Less than two minutes later, the Jamaican scored again just inside the far post for LIU's second goal of the night, assisted by Rasmus Hansen.
 
In the 55^th minute, Hansen capitalized on a mishit when Presbyterian was unable to clear the ball and scored his first goal as a Blackbird, giving LIU a 3-0 lead early in the second half.
 
The Blue Hose got on the board in the 89^th minute when a header was deflected in off of a throw. Presbyterian's John Speed tried to get the Blue Hose a second goal in the 90^th minute, but was blocked by a strong defensive presence. 
 
With the win against Presbyterian, head coach TJ Kostecky has reached 100 wins with the Blackbirds. He is the second coach to achieve this feat behind LIU Athletics Hall of Fame coach Arnold Ramirez.
 
UP NEXT
LIU Brooklyn heads to Asheville, N.C. on Sunday, Aug. 30 for a match against UNC Asheville at 1:00 p.m.