BROOKVILLE, N.Y. — It's been 10 years since a true road team has won the NEC men's soccer championship—a streak the LIU men's soccer team aims to break this weekend.
 
Third-seeded LIU upset second-seeded Saint Francis 4-1 in Thursday's semifinal match in Loretto, Pa., clinching a spot in the NEC title game for the second straight season.
 
The Sharks will now head to Teaneck, N.J., to face top-seeded FDU on Sunday at 12 p.m., with an NCAA tournament berth on the line.
 
"We're excited to return to the NEC Championship and play in another big game," said head coach Michael Mordocco. "The team has earned this opportunity, and we are ready for it."
 
This marks LIU's eighth appearance in the NEC title game in the past 10 years, and head coach Michael Mordocco has led LIU to six of those, including two NCAA tournament appearances. In 2021, LIU shocked the college soccer world with a 1-0 win over Maryland in the NCAA Tournament and had a closely contested 2-1 match against Denver last season.
 
Mordocco also guided LIU to the Sweet 16 during the 2018 season, prior to the program's transition to Division I in 2019.
 
No. 3 LIU and No. 1 FDU have appeared in seven of the last eight title games, and the Sharks have a chance to become the sixth team since 1998 to win the NEC Championship as a third seed.
 
The Sharks previously defeated FDU 2-1 on October 13, with Alan Martinez scoring the game-winning goal with just 58 seconds remaining in regulation.
 
Fans can watch the NEC Championship game on ESPN+ and NEC Front Row.