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BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The LIU Brooklyn women's soccer team begins its 2016 campaign Friday evening, as it hosts Maine in a non-conference match slated for 5:00 p.m.at LIU Field. Following the home-opener, the Blackbirds will play seven consecutive away matches.
Friday's match is the first for head coach Scott McLaughlin, who took over the team in January. Previously, coach McLaughlin was an assistant at Stony Brook while also spending time at St. John's and Adelphi. At St. John's, he helped the Red Storm earn berths in the NCAA Tournament in 2009 and 2013.
The Blackbirds are looking to rebound this season after they missed the Northeast Conference Tournament in 2015. Leading the turnaround are two All-Northeast Conference players: senior forward Madison Gomez and sophomore midfielder Marian Awad.
Gomez, who was selected to the NEC's All-Second Team, finished 2015 second on the team in goals (4), assists (3), and points (11). The Fountain Valley, California native, who started in all 19 matches, showed off her offensive prowess in LIU Brooklyn's 5-2 victory over Saint Peter's , where she tallied a goal and dished out an LIU Brooklyn single-game record three assists.
Awad, who was tabbed to the NEC's All-Rookie Team, led the team in goals (5) and points (12). The Haifa, Israel native led the team with 47 shots. Like Gomez, the sophomore was one of four Blackbirds to start in all 19 matches.
Returning redshirt-junior Jenn Peters, the 2013 NEC Rookie of the Year, scored three goals and handed out one assist in 2014. The Slate Hill, New York native led the Blackbirds with seven goals, three assists, and 17 points her freshman year. The midfielder also netted three game-winning goals in 2013.
The Blackbirds brings back a number of experienced players on defense. Senior Asha Mohiddin started in all 19 matches last season and logged a team-high 1,732 minutes. The Ottawa, Ontario native also recorded an assist in the team's 2-0 win over Iona. Junior Brittany Galske saw the field in 18 matches (started 13) and recorded 1,020 minutes. Junior Erin Harbison returns to the goal. Last season, Harbison went 2-3-0 with 1.53 Goals Against Average, a .833 save percentage, and made 50 saves.
The team welcomes four newcomers this season: freshmen defenders Dana Wiesmore, Nancy Palumbo, and Rachel Chase, along with sophomore goalkeeper Aline Allman.
LIU will take on a University of Maine team that was picked to finish third in the America East preseason poll. The Black Bears will be led by America East Rookie of the Year, Vivien Beil and America East All-Rookie selection Anetra Byfield. LIU fell 2-1 to the Black Bears last season, in the first-ever meeting between the two teams. Nineteen minutes into the contest, Ashley Robinson and Charlene Achille put Maine ahead 2-0. Gomez scored for LIU in the 53rd minute. Harbison made 10 saves in the losing effort.