BROOKLYN, N.Y. - LIU Brooklyn sophomore midfielder Simen Hestnes was named Northeast Conference Men's Soccer Player of the Week on Monday, following a superb weekend that saw the Norwegian help the Blackbirds register two victories. The award is the third weekly honor for the Blackbirds this season, as freshmen Marius Koss and Giuseppe Barone each previously earned NEC Rookie of the Week honors.

Facing No. 22 Rider on Friday, Hestnes was a menace in the middle of the field and put LIU on top with a heady play. After sophomore Romario Guscott had his shot blocked by a Broncs defender, Hestnes made a perfectly timed run to collect the rebound and finish to the right side to give the Blackbirds a 1-0 lead.

With the contest tied at 1-1 late in the second period, Hestnes slid a pass from top of the box to sophomore Rasmus Hansen on the left wing. Hansen dribbled once and crossed a pass to Guscott, who scored at the far post to secure LIU's first victory over a nationally-ranked opponent since 1989.

Two days later against Manhattan, Hestnes put together a one-goal, two-assist performance to help the Blackbirds defeat the Jaspers, 4-1, to improve to 4-2-1 on the year. The four-point outing was the best of Hestnes' young career and was the first two-assist game by an LIU Brooklyn player since teammate Naeem Charles had a pair of helpers in a win over Sacred Heart in 2014.

Unbeaten in their last three matches, the Blackbirds will look to finish off their three-match home stand on a positive note on Friday, Sept. 23 against Saint Peter's. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and will be preceded by a women's soccer match featuring LIU Brooklyn and Saint Joseph's.