2016 Northeast Conference Men's Soccer Award Winners

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - LIU Brooklyn men's soccer sophomore Simen Hestnes was named Northeast Conference Player of the Year, and seven members of the team were honored with All-NEC selections, it was announced by the league at the banquet Thursday night. In a post-season poll by the league's coaches, Hestnes earned the year's top award. He, sophomore Rasmus Hansen and junior Naeem Charles earned first-team All-NEC honors, while sophomore Erik Wahlin, sophomore Romario Guscott and freshman Giuseppe Barone earned second-team All-NEC honors. Barone and classmate Marius Koss were both named to the NEC All-Rookie team as well.

Hestnes, now a two-time first team All-NEC honoree, became the first Blackbird to win NEC Player of the Year honors since Walter Bustamante won it in 1994. The sophomore currently ranks first in the NEC and sixth nationally in with nine assists. He is also second in the league in points (23) and fourth in goals (seven). Hestnes was tabbed the NEC Player of the Week on September 19 after leading the Blackbirds to a win over then #22 Rider with a goal and an assist. Other LIU players to earn NEC Player of the Year honors include NEC Hall of Famer Giovanni Savarese (1992) and Roger Chavez, who won the inaugural award back in 1986.

Hestnes was one of three Blackbirds honored in the first team, tied with Saint Francis U, while the regular season champion Terriers had four first-team honorees.

LIU Brooklyn sophomore midfielder Rasmus Hansen, the 2015 NEC Rookie of the Year, earned his second straight first team All-NEC nod. He leads the league and ranks 13th in the nation in goals (11) and points (29), and ranks ninth in goals and 11th in points nationally. A two-time NEC Player of the Week, Hansen finished the regular season as one of the top catalysts for LIU's offense.

LIU redshirt junior midfielder Naeem Charles earned his first career All-NEC honors, after a season where she sat second in the conference, right behind Hansen, in goals (nine) and tied for second in points (23). He was also fourth in the NEC in total assists and assists per game, and was named the NEC Player of the Week in late October.

The Blackbirds had three second-team honorees, in junior forward Romario Guscott,sophomore defender Erik Wahlin, and freshman forward Giuseppe Barone. Barone, along with classmate Koss, was also named to the NEC All-Rookie team. He was just one of two freshman to earn both All-NEC accolades and NEC All-Rookie honors.

Guscott was a key part of LIU's nationally-ranked offensive firepower. The junior, named NEC Player of the Week in October, finished the season ranked second in game-winning goals, with three.

Barone was one of the best freshmen in the league, as evidenced by his double selection. A three-time NEC Rookie of the Week, he finished the season ranked fourth in the conference in assists per game, and third in total assists, with six.

Koss earned the respect of the league coaches in his first season in the black and white, starting 17 out of 17 games for the Blackbirds. The Oslo, Norway native was a constant defensive force for LIU, and earned the first NEC honors of his career Thursday.

Up next, the Blackbirds take part in the NEC Tournament, Friday, November 11 at 12 p.m. They will face off with the No. 2 seeded Saint Francis U., in a rematch of last season's championship final.