BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The LIU Brooklyn men's soccer team is heading south this weekend, squaring off with two North Carolina teams before returning to downtown Brooklyn for their home opener. The Blackbirds will play at North Carolina State, Friday, September 1^st at 4 p.m., before traveling to take on Appalachian State, Sunday, September 3^rd.
 
SCOUTING THE WOLFPACK
NC State comes into Friday's game with a 1-1 record so far this season. After beating No. 24 UConn in an exhibition match, the Wolf Pack opened the season with a 3-2 win over Florida Atlantic at home. They then fought back from a two-goal deficit to force over time at William & Mary, but fell 3-2 in extra periods.
 
Through the first two contests of the season, NC State ranks 24th nationally with 2.50 goals scored per match. Four different players have scored for NC State so far, including two goals by freshman Manny Perez to lead the team.
 
SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS
The Appalachian State game will be a homecoming of sorts for LIU head coach TJ Kostecky. Kostecky coached at App State prior to coming to LIU, in 1998. In his only season at the school, he led the Mountaineers to a 13-8 mark, the best first-year record for a coach in the program's history of over 40 years. For his efforts, he was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year.
 
The Mountaineers are also 1-1 on the season, and actually faced off against NC State in an exhibition match earlier in the season. The two Blackbird opponents finished with a 0-0 tie.
 
In the regular season, App State opened the season with a loss to No. 20 Old Dominion, before beating VCU last week, 3-2. The Mountaineers return nine starters from last season, but have to replace the team's leading scorer, and have a large contingent of underclassmen looking to do just that.
 
UP NEXT
The Blackbirds return home to LIU Field to host their first game of the season in downtown Brooklyn. LIU will welcome NJIT to campus, Wednesday, September 6 at 6 p.m.