The LIU men's soccer team put together an impressive season under head coach TJ Kostecky, going 6-9-2 overall and coming within a whisker of qualifying for the NEC Tournament with a conference ledger of 3-5-2.

In only his first season at the helm, Kostecky brought together a unit that struggled to a 5-13-1 mark in 1998 and turned it into one that could contend for a conference championship in the year 2000.

The offense was keyed by the addition of striker Magnus Nilsson who came over from his native Sweden over the summer to lead the Blackbirds and all NEC newcomers with nine goals this season. A sophomore, Nilsson finished with a team-high 21 points and was named first team All-Conference. In LIU's six wins he tallied five goals.

Helping with the offensive load was sophomore Ignacio Pena. A second team all-league selection, Pena registered five goals and four assists on the season, and like Nilsson is only a sophomore.

The Blackbirds' defense was anchored by junior Juan Diego Chiavarini. Moved to sweeper for the first time in his career, the Argentinean-born Chiavarini was selected second team all-conference.

Martin Akerman, one of three Swedes to join the fold this year, was also an important component in the back. An aggressive player and a hard worker, Akerman was part of a defense that surrendered only 37 goals on the season.

Goalkeeper Andres Gomez closed out a solid career in fine form. The Flushing, NY, native was in goal for five of LIU's six wins and compiled a 1.73 goals-against-average.

The Blackbirds' season was highlighted by a season-high four-game winning streak in mid-September over Siena, Navy, College of Staten Island and Quinnipiac. LIU closed out its regular season with consecutive ties against FDu (1-1) and Monmouth (3-3) and then a 3-2 overtime loss to Sacred Heart.