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Piscataway, NJ -- The LIU Brooklyn men's soccer team concluded its 2015 season in heartbreaking fashion, as the team battled through regulation and two overtime periods tied 1-1 with No. 23 Rutgers in the first round of the NCAA Men's College Cup. As had been the case in the previous two Northeast Conference Tournament matches, the contest moved to penalty kicks. But the magic ran out against the Scarlet Knights, as they advanced to the second round with a 3-2 shootout decision.
 
The Blackbirds had four scoring opportunities early in the first half, as both teams battled torrential downpours throughout. Senior Nahuel Medina took the first shot of the game in the first minute of play from 15 yards that was saved by the Scarlet Knights goalkeeper David Greczek.
 
In the 22^nd minute, Rutgers' Jason Wright got a shot off from inside the box, but senior Jacob Smith was there to make a crucial block for LIU. Wright had another scoring opportunity in the 28^th minute, this time freshman Erik Wahlin came up with the block to keep the Scarlet Knights off the board.
 
Freshman Simen Hestnes then made a huge play, stealing the ball and proceeding to dribble down the field. Battling numerous puddles along the way, Hestnes found the back of the net to give the Blackbirds a 1-0 lead in the 32^nd minute. NEC Rookie of the Year Rasmus Hansen had the last shot of the first half from 20 yards out, but was denied by Greczek.
 
Early in the second half, senior Tanner Sica took a shot from 25 yards that was blocked by the Rutgers' defense. The weather continued to impact play on the field throughout the second half, with the rain pouring down and no sign of letting up. Keys garnered his second save of the game in the 68^th minute, intercepting a shot launched from the right of the goal 10 yards out.
 
In the 72^nd minute, Smith made another solo block, deflecting a shot from the Scarlet Knights' offense. The LIU defense made impressive back-to back saves. Keys blocked a close-range shot in the 74^th minute, then Wright got a piece of the ball deflected by Keys and took another shot, but the Blackbirds defense was able to stop it.
 
In the 76^th minute, Wright sent the ball to Rutgers' Ahmad Faheem, who pushed a shot just inside the right post, knotting the game at 1-1. Keys made another save in the 85^th minute of play, reaching to gather a shot headed toward the top of the goal.
 
As the contest moved to overtime, Keys made a critical save in the 92^nd minute, knocking away a shot from Wright to keep the match tied. Rutgers had a free kick in the 99^th minute, sending it to midfielder Mitchell Taintor, who tried to send a bicycle kick into the net, but Keys was there to make his eighth save of the game. From there, the contest moved through the second overtime period still tied, with penalty kicks forthcoming.
 
LIU's first penalty kick attempt was stopped by the keeper, while Rutgers made its first round attempt. Freshman Filip Nordstrom and Sica made the second and third rounds attempt for LIU, with Keys stopping the Scarlet Knights on third attempt to even the shootout, 2-2. LIU missed its fourth and fifth attempts, bowing out to the Scarlet Knights after a 3-2 shootout decision.

LIU Brooklyn concludes the season 11-5-5 and will take a 13-match unbeaten streak into the 2015 season.