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Teaneck, NJ -- Another chapter was written in Northeast Conference (NEC) men’s soccer's most storied rivalry.

After playing to a scoreless draw, third-seeded LIU defended its title with a dramatic 5-4 victory in penalty kicks over top-seeded FDU on a mild Sunday afternoon in Teaneck, NJ.

The Sharks surged to back-to-back titles for the first time in program history and they are the first NEC men’s soccer team to repeat since St. Francis Brooklyn did so in 2016 and 2017. LIU also became the first true road team to hoist the championship trophy since the Terriers won it on the road in 2014.'

To illustrate the fierce nature of their postseason rivalry, all six finals between LIU (8-4-7) and FDU (10-4-5) have been decided by one goal or in penalty kicks. The teams are now 3-3 in NEC title tilts.

This year’s final marked the ninth time in the last 14 years that the title match was decided in overtime or a shootout. It was also the sixth straight tournament the NEC final was deternined by one goal or in PKs

LIU senior Alan Martinez was named NEC Tournament MVP for the second straight year. He is the first player in league history to garner the award in back-to-back seasons.

In PKs, both teams traded scores in the first round, but then NEC Goalkeeper of the Year Eoin Gawronski stepped up for the Sharks, making the only save of the shootout in the second frame, which ended up being the difference maker. LIU's Niklas Thanhofer netted the championship-clinching goal with a shot to the lower left corner.

Additonally, the Sharks received shootout goals from Martinez, Jack Fridman, Tal Levy and All-Tournament selection Stephane Njike.

Neither team could find the back of the net in regulation despite a handful of prime opportunities.

Only LIU registered a shot in both overtime periods with three chances in the extra 20 minutes. Two of FDU goalie Spencer King’s four saves came in the first overtime period.

In the second half, the NEC powerhouses exchanged blows as each squad totaling four shots, with one on target for each team, and both King and Gawronski making two saves apiece, including point blank stops and diving grabs from the All-NEC talents.

The first 45 minutes were balanced with defense winning out. The Knights outshot the Sharks, 4-2, in the first half as four of the six combined shots came in the final 17 minutes.

FDU’s King was named to the NEC All-Tournament Team for the second year in a row.

The Sharks are heading back to the NCAA College Cup in back-to-back years for the first time in program history. This will be LIU's ninth NCAA Tournament appearance. The program is 1-7-1 on the national stage with their victory coming in 2021 with a 1-0 upset of Maryland. 

The NEC champs will find out who their next opponent is on Monday, November 18 at 1:00 pm ET during the NCAA Selection Show, which will stream live on NCAA.com. First round matches take place on Thursday, November 21.

2024 NEC All-Tournament Team
Alan Martinez, Sr., LIU (MVP)
Sam Keogan, Jr., LIU
Stephane Njike, Fr., LIU
Londell Wheeler, So., LIU
Alex Ferenac, So., FDU
Spencer King, Gr., FDU
Victor Labite, So., FDU
Ziad Abdul-Malak, R-Jr., Le Moyne
Jakob Priestman, R-Jr., Le Moyne
Torren Aikens, Sr., Saint Francis U
Joel Aschenbroich, Sr., Saint Francis U