BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The LIU Brooklyn men's soccer team opens the 2018 season this weekend, hosting two games on LIU Field. The Blackbirds welcome Iona for the home and season opener, Friday, August 24 at 4 p.m., before taking on Northeastern, Monday, August 27 at 4 p.m. Both games will stream live on NEC Front Row.
LIU, who was picked to finish second in the NEC Preseason Poll earlier this month, has qualified for the NEC Tournament for the last four years running, including winning it all in 2015. The Blackbirds went 6-9-3 last season, including a 4-2-1 record in the NEC, advancing to the championship game before falling to SFBK.
LIU has a senior heavy roster, with eight graduating players this year. The team brought back 19 letter winners from last year's squad, including nine of the teams 11 starters.
OFFENSE
Offensively, the Blackbirds return all of their firepower from last year, including reigning NEC Player of the Year, senior Rasmus Hansen. Classmates Filip Nordström Ahmad Elfaham, and Christoffer Bjarre Solbakken will join Hansen to form a formidable offensive force. A first-team All NEC honoree last year, Nordström led the team with seven assists. Co-captain Solbakken, who returned midway through the season last year from injury, was one of the most effective shooters in his ten games, scoring four goals on just 11 shots, including two game-winners.
Senior Romario Guscott, a second-team All NEC honoree in his sophomore year, will also bolster the attack, along with classmates Michael Maldonado and Anthony Baltazar.
A bevy of experienced talent will help push LIU's game forward in the midfield, including juniors Zach Peterson and Giuseppe Barone, along with sophomores Daniel Quiros Herrero and Fredrik Mathisen. Freshmen Michael Gianino and Xavi Verdu will also offer depth in that area for the Blackbirds.
DEFENSE
Defensively, the Blackbirds will be reshaping their identity with the loss of two starters there. But two former NEC All-Rookie honorees will lead the line: junior co-captain Marius Koss and sophomore Erik Johansson. Defensive-minded midfielder Huib Achterkamp, one of the six freshmen who joined the team this year, will also be a key force of LIU's back line.
And behind that line is one of the deepest goalie groups LIU has ever had. Sophomore Anthony Sciola, an NEC All-Rookie honoree last year, is back, and one of many options for head coach TJ Kostecky. Senior Cole Palmer brings experience to the group, while freshman Sam Ilin may compete for a starting spot early in his Blackbird career.
SCOUTING THE GAELS
Iona is also opening their season Friday. Last year, the Gaels went 5-7-4 overall, and 4-4-2 in the MAAC, and were picked to finish eighth in the league this year. A young team with eight newcomers, including three transfers, they're under the direction of third year head coach James Hamilton.
SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
Northeastern opens the season Friday, taking on Niagara, before coming to downtown Brooklyn. The team went 3-12-3 last season, but had a tough schedule that included four teams ranked in the top 20 in the nation. The team returns some of its top point scorers and leaders in minutes, but will see a new starting goalie, and nine freshmen on the roster.