SOMERSET, N.J. - Reigning Northeast Conference regular-season and tournament champion LIU Brooklyn was named the preseason favorite to repeat in men's soccer, it was announced by the league on Tuesday. The Blackbirds received six of a possible eight first-place votes and is picked to finish ahead of Saint Francis U. (two first-place votes) and borough rival St. Francis Brooklyn.
Last season, LIU was chosen seventh in the preseason poll before putting together one of the top regular seasons in conference history. The Blackbirds became just the third team in league annals to go undefeated and untied through league play (7-0-0) and went on to earn the NEC Tournament title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. LIU Brooklyn enters the 2016 season on a 13-match unbeaten streak, the second-longest current streak in the NCAA (Georgetown).
One of the keys to last season's performance was a stellar freshman group that included five members of the NEC's All-Rookie Team. All five of those players return and are expected to play large roles this season, including one half of the starting backline in sophomores Erik Wahlin and Filip Nordstrom. Wahlin was a rock at one central defender spot in 2015, starting 19 contests, while Nordstrom also got the nod for 19 starts and was a menace on the overlap from his right fullback position.
LIU Brooklyn will open the season on Friday, Aug. 26 at Siena. The Blackbirds will play their first five games away from home before hosting MAAC Tournament champion Rider at LIU Field on Friday, Sept. 16 at 5:00 p.m.
2016 NEC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. LIU Brooklyn (6)
2. Saint Francis U (2)
3. St. Francis Brooklyn
4. Central Connecticut
5. Bryant
Robert Morris
7. Fairleigh Dickinson
8. Sacred Heart