TEANECK, N.J. — The LIU men's soccer team has earned a bye in the opening round of the NEC Tournament.

In contention for the conference title on the final day of the regular season, LIU defeated host FDU, 1-0, on Thursday night to leapfrog the Knights and claim second place.

The Sharks handed the Knights their first regular-season NEC loss in two seasons.

Freshman phenom Joshua Saavedra scored the lone goal in the victory, in the 24th minute off an assist from Ben Assane Fall.

Goalkeeper Eoin Gawronski recorded a five-save shutout.

However, Saint Francis U defeated Howard on Thursday night to edge the Sharks by a point for the NEC's regular-season crown and No. 1 seed.

The top two seeds earn a bye into next Thursday's semifinals.

The NEC playoff qualifiers:

1. Saint Francis U (5-0-3)
2. LIU (5-1-2)
3. FDU (4-1-3)
4. Sacred Heart (3-2-3) 
5. Merrimack (3-3-2)
6. Le Moyne (2-3-3)

The teams are reseeded after Sunday's quarterfinals between FDU and Le Moyne and Sacred Heart and Merrimack.

"The guys executed the game plan," coach Michael Mordocco said. "They worked really, really hard. I'm proud of their effort. That's how you win championships. It was essentially a playoff game tonight. And we played like it was a playoff game."