Jonas Stigh named First-Team NSCAA/adidas Men's Soccer All-New York Region; Oskar Tilly and Matt Paradise named to third team

Long Island had three players make the NSCAA/adidas All-New York region squad as freshman back Jonas Stigh (Trollhatten, Sweden) was named to the first team with sophomore midfielder Oskar Tilly (Karlstad, Sweden) and freshman forward Matt Paradise (Pittsburgh, PA) making third team.

Stigh was one of the Northeast Conference’s top sweepers who helped the Blackbirds (8-7-4, 5-2-3 NEC) post their highest win total since 1992. A intimidating presence for many opponents at 6-3, Stigh helped limit numerous offensive chances to make LIU a force for years to come. He was tabbed second-team All-NEC.

Tilly helped anchor a solid midfield and finished the season with seven goals, second best for the Blackbirds, and six assists for 20 points. A tenacious playmaker with great footwork, Tilly had five points in two NEC Tournament games. Tilly was named second-team All-NEC and was the league’s Player of the Week on September 10.

Paradise was one of the league’s top freshmen, finishing with a team-high 10 goals and 22 points. A promising forward with an accurate shot, Paradise started 18 contests and had a point in 10 games. He was named NEC Rookie of the Week on September 10 and 24.

LIU almost tripled its win total from all last season (three) and advanced to the NEC Tournament for the first time since 1997. After upsetting top-seeded Robert Morris in the semifinals, the Blackbirds suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 quadruple-overtime loss to Fairleigh Dickinson in the final.