Date:  Friday, Nov. 15, 10:30 a.m.
Location: Stokes Soccerplex | Loretto, Pa.
Championship Links: Championship Central | Watch Live | Live Stats 
Twitter: @LIUAthletics | @LIUMSOC
LIU Links:  Roster | Schedule | Stats
Bryant Links:  Roster | Schedule | Stats 
 
THE FIRST LOOK

It is a battle of No. 2 vs. No. 3 on Friday morning as the second-seeded Long Island University Sharks take on third-seeded Bryant University Bulldogs for a spot in the Northeast Conference Championship match. LIU is looking to defend its NEC title after capturing the 2018 crown when it defeated the Bulldogs by a 4-0 margin. The winner of Friday's semifinal matchup will take on the winner of No. 1 Saint Francis University (Pa.) and No. 4 Fairleigh Dickinson University for the 2019 title on Sunday, Nov. 17. The 2019 champion will earn the NEC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

THE LAST TIME THEY MET
 
LIU earned a 2-0 win against the Bulldogs on Oct. 28 at the LIU Soccer Park. Freshman Papa Ndoye scored two second-half goals to help earn NEC Rookie of the Week accolades for his performance. After a scoreless first half, Ndoye found the back of the net during the 49th minute and tallied his second goal 15 minutes later to lead the Sharks to the victory.
 
Despite the score, Bryant held a 13-7 advantage in shot attempts, though the LIU back line limited the Bulldogs to just two attempts on goal. The back line also successfully defended 10 corner kicks on the afternoon. Freshman Demetri Skoumbakis made two saves in goal to earn the shutout victory.  

SCOUTING THE SHARKS
 
LIU's defense has keyed their success in league play this season, allowing just six goals in nine matches. The Sharks posted five shutouts in NEC play, and have conceded just two goals against NEC tournament opponents. The back line is led by senior Kyle Parish and graduate student Stefan Faistenauer, while sophomore Fridtjof Andberg has also made a significant impact on the defensive end.
 
Parish has also played a big role in the offensive end of the pitch, scoring five goals and adding a team-best four assists for 14 points. Parish is one of three Sharks to start all 17 matches and leads the Blue and Gold with three game-winning goals. Ndoye leads all players with seven goals on the year, compiling a team-best 51 shot attempts and 24 shots on goal.
 
Senior Matias Pesallaccia has seen the majority of playing time in goal this year, logging over 1,000 minutes and garnering five wins to go with a 1.50 goals-against average. In conference play, Pesallaccia posted an unbeaten record (2-0-1) and has allowed just 0.82 goals per game in three starts. Skoumbakis has also been outstanding in goal, conceding just three goals in 533 minutes, leading to a 0.51 goals-against average and a 4-2-0 mark in NEC play.  

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
 
The Bulldogs enter Friday's semifinal with an 8-7-0 overall record and are just 2-6-0 on the road this season. The Bulldogs average 1.33 goals per game against NEC opponents, while allowing 1.22 goals per match. Bryant has notched four shutouts on the year, all of which have come in conference play.
 
Senior Olivier Larente leads the Bulldog goalkeepers with 12 starts in goal, compiling a 1.38 goals-against average and a 70.2-percent save percentage. Sophomore Will Swart has also seen time in goal, making five appearances and three starts, allowing seven goals and making 18 saves.
 
On the offensive end, Bryant boasts four players with multiple goals, led by senior Alex DaCosta with six goals and five assists in 12 games played. The Bulldogs have missed Ben Williams on the offensive end as the sophomore netted five goals in eight matches before missing the remainder of the regular season.
 
Senior George Gill and freshman Jake Spaulding have three goals to their names this season, with all of Spauldings goals coming in conference play. The rookie scored both of Bryant's goals during a 2-0 win against Mount St. Mary's on Oct. 25 and earned his second career start in the season finale at Merrimack on Nov. 10.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets will be sold at the gate for all fans in attendance.
Ticket prices
$10 for general admission
$5 for senior citizens and children 11-18
Free for children under 11 and any student with an NEC student I.D.
 
GAME COVERAGE
 
The NEC Championship will be broadcasted on ESPN3 and the NEC Front Row platform. Both streaming services are available online, and on all mobile and streaming devices. Live stats will be available for each contest on SFUAthletics.com