BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Three members of the LIU Brooklyn men's soccer team were honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, it was announced Tuesday afternoon, as sophomores Simen Hestnes and Rasmus Hansen, along with redshirt junior Naeem Charles were named to the 2016 NSCAA NCAA Division I Men's All-Northeast Region Teams. Hestnes and Hansen earned first team honors at midfield and forward, respectively, while Charles earned third team honors in the midfield.
It was the second NSCAA honor for Hansen, who was named to the second team in his freshman season, while Hestnes and Charles were honored for the first time in their careers.
Hestnes, the NEC Player of the Year and a first-team All-NEC honoree, finished the season ranked first in the NEC and 13th nationally in with nine assists, and ninth in the nation in assists per game (0.53). He also finished the regular season ranked second in the league in points (23) and fourth in goals (six). He was the first LIU player to be named Player of the Year since 1994. 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.
Hansen, who also earned first-team All-NEC honors, finished the regular season leading the NEC and ranking 19th in the nation in goals scored (11), and led the conference and ranked 15th in the nation in total points (29). The Greve, Denmark native also ranked in the top-50 in the nation in assists per game, goals per game, points per game, shots and shots on goal per game, and total assists. 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 was LIU's third first-team All-NEC honoree, after a season where he 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.