LORETTO, Pa. —  Stephane Njike, fresh off his NEC Rookie of the Year award, scored the biggest goals of his career in LIU's 4-1 win against Saint Francis, lifting the Sharks to the NEC Championship for the second-straight season. LIU will play at top-seeded FDU Sunday at 12 p.m. for a chance to earn a spot in the NCAA tournament for the second year in a row.

LIU jumped out to an early 1-0 lead against Saint Francis on Thursday afternoon when Joshua Saavedra scored just 26 seconds into the match. Saavedra, last season's NEC Rookie of the Year, scored off a right-footed feed from captain Alan Martinez to open the scoring.

Saint Francis tied the game in the opening minutes of the second half - but that did not last long.

Njike found the back of the net eight minutes later to give LIU a 2-1 lead, a goal that would prove to be the game-winner for the Sharks.

Martinez added insurance for LIU with a penalty kick goal in the 75th minute.

Njike then scored his second goal of the game in the 81st minute, to seal LIU's place in the NEC title game on Sunday against the winner of the No. 1 FDU and No. 4 Le Moyne match, scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight.

"What this program has accomplished is incredible, said head coach Michael Mordocco. "We have played in six finals in seven years. Players make a program and we have been able to continue to recruit winners that love to play for LIU and each other. Our student-athletes embrace big moments and rise to the occasion time and time again."

LIU's four goals mark its highest single-game scoring total since its 6-3 win against Le Moyne on Oct. 29, 2023.

The Sharks' defense allowed only one shot on goal against SFU, which came off a penalty kick in the second half.

NEC men's soccer championship details can be found HERE