BROOKLYN, N.Y.— The LIU Brooklyn men's soccer team opens Northeast Conference action this weekend with one of their biggest matchups of the season. The Blackbirds will face off with their Brooklyn rival and defending NEC champions St. Francis Brooklyn, Sunday, September 30 at 1 p.m. in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

LAST TIME OUT
LIU is looking to extend their four game win streak this weekend against the Terriers. The Blackbirds defeated NJIT Tuesday, n their final non-conference game of the season. Senior Romario Guscott put up the go-ahead  goal against the Highlanders for a final score of 3-2.

NEC HONOREE
LIU Brooklyn men's soccer freshman Michael Gianino was named the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week, it was announced by the league office Tuesday afternoon. It was the first weekly honor for the Staten Island native, and the third for the Blackbirds this fall. Gianino scored the tying goal in the 34th minute of LIU Brooklyn's 2-1 win over Atlantic 10 opponent La Salle on Saturday. The freshman displayed some fancy footwork to catch the goalkeeper off-guard before finding the back of the net. Gianino is tied for third on LIU with two goals and leads all Blackbird freshmen with four points.

SCOUTING THE TERRIERS
St. Francis and LIU will meet for the first time since they faced off in the NEC championship game last fall. The Terriers got the best of the Blackbirds twice in 2017, beating them 2-1 in overtime in the regular season, and 5-0 to claim the title in November.

SFC has been a long time rival for LIU, and will be looking for an early conference victory on Sunday. Currently at 3-6 overall, they will take on Central Connecticut State Friday afternoon for their first conference game of the season. The Terriers have topped Lafayette (1-0), La Salle (2-0), and Howard (3-1) for their only wins thus far this season.

UP NEXT
The Blackbirds bring it home to LIU Field for their next conference game, hosting Central Connecticut State, Friday, October 5 at 6 p.m.