BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Four different LIU Brooklyn men's soccer players registered goals including sophomore Simen Hestnes, who also added two assists as the Blackbirds broke a 1-1 halftime tie with three unanswered scores in the second half to defeat Manhattan, 4-1, at LIU Field on Sunday. Sophomores Erik Wahlin, Romario Guscott and Rasmus Hansen also found the back of the net for LIU, who improves to 4-2-1 on the year.

LIU Brooklyn broke a scoreless dealock in the 23rd minute of action, as Hestnes had his initial shot deflected by a Jasper defender. The ball ricocheted right to Wahlin, who converted from point-blank range to give the Blackbirds a 1-0 lead.

Manhattan, who entered the contest having not scored in any of its first five matches of the season, finally broke the drought in the 30th minute as Niels Kirch redirected a shot from Christoph Gums into the lower-right corner of goal to knot the contest at 1-1.

Following intermission, the two teams went back and forth for the first 12 minutes before LIU took control in the 58th minute of action. Junior Naeem Charles had his shot from the right side stopped by Manhattan goalkeeper Connor Hayes. Hestnes was right on the doorstep to take advantage of the loose ball, taking one dribble and finishing to put LIU on top 2-1.

Less than six minutes later, Hestnes and Hansen teammed up to find Guscott all alone in front of the net to put the score at 3-1. Freshman Giuseppe Barone put an exclamation point on the contest in the 69th minute, using some fine individual skill to help the Blackbirds put the game away.

After the clearance of a Manhattan corner kick, the ball found its way to Barone on the right side. Using a deft touch, the Brooklyn, N.Y. native neatly flicked a back-heel pass past the defender and to himself as he sprinted toward the center circle. After gaining control, Barone slid a perfect pass to a streaking Hansen to put him all alone on goal. Hansen scored to give the Blackbirds an insurmountable lead over the final 20 minutes of play.

Senior goalkeeper Logan Keys made five saves, including a pair in the second half that kept Manhattan from creeping closer, to secure his fourth win of the year.

LIU returns to action on Friday, Sept. 23 with a home match against Saint Peter's at LIU Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.