BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The LIU Brooklyn men's soccer team will welcome a Northeast Conference team to LIU Field for the first time this season, as the Blackbirds are set to square off with the Blue Devils from Central Connecticut State, Friday, October 5 at 6 p.m. LIU (6-3-1, 1-0 NEC) will be looking to continue their first game winning streak, while CCSU (0-7-1, 0-1 NEC) will be looking for their first win of the year.

LAST TIME OUT
The Blackbirds had a big win last weekend, beating defending NEC champions St. Francis Brooklyn 2-1 in overtime. It was the first time LIU had beaten SFBK since the 2015 playoffs. The Blackbirds held on to win after the Terriers scored the game-tying goal in the 79th minute. Senior Rasmus Hansen scored his third game-winning goal of the season in the 92nd minute, off of a free kick by junior Giuseppe Barone and senior Filip Nordstrom.

NEC HONOREE
LIU men's soccer freshman Huib Achterkamp was named the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week, it was announced by the league office Tuesday afternoon. Achterkamp, who earned the first weekly honors of his career, is the fourth different Blackbird to be recognized this season, and the second-straight Rookie of the Week for LIU.
 
Achterkamp scored his first collegiate goal in LIU Brooklyn's 2-1 overtime victory against Brooklyn rival St. Francis Brooklyn in its NEC opener on Sunday. In the 15th minute, the 6' 4" rookie found the back of the net, heading home a corner kick from Barone. The freshman defender has played in all 10 of LIU's games, with nine starts, and anchors the Blackbird defense.

SCOUTING CCSU
The Blue Devils have had a rough start to the season, with five of their seven losses coming by just one goal. Last weekend, CCSU opened NEC action with a 1-0 loss on the road against St. Francis Brooklyn.

Senior forward Louis Beddouri is the team's leading scorer, with three goals, while freshman middle Noah Silverman has scored two so far.

Last year, the Blue Devils gave LIU all they could handle, taking the Blackbirds to two overtimes. But LIU took the 3-2 win on the road, their fourth straight win over CCSU.

UP NEXT
The Blackbirds will host another NEC school for another Friday night showdown, welcoming Sacred Heart to the Birdcage, Friday, October 12 at 6 p.m.