BROOKLYN, N.Y.- In a rematch of last season's Northeast Conference title match, the Saint Francis University Red Flash take on the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds in the first NEC Semi-Final on Friday afternoon at Brooklyn Bridge Park. 


ABOUT THE FLASH
Saint Francis comes into the semi-final on a five-match unbeaten streak that started with a 3-0 shutout of LIU Brooklyn on October 16th. This is the fifth-straight season the Flash have made the tournament and their ninth appearance overall. In their previous eight trips they are 6-2 in the semi-final. Saint Francis brings a balanced attack with them into the match, sporting 11 different goal scorers on the season. They lead the league in shots and are second in goals, assists and points. Defensively, they tied for the league lead in shutouts and are second in goals allowed and goals against average. Jack Webber (Bernville, Pa./Tulpehocken) leads the offense with five goals and 11 points on the season. Marcus Rojas (Fremont, Calif./Bellarmine College Preparatory) has played every minute in goal this season and holds a .75 goals against average. 

ABOUT THE BLACKBIRDS
LIU Brooklyn brings the league's top offense with them into the semi-final, scoring 39 goals on the season, 14 more than the second-place Red Flash. They are led by Rasmus Hansen who ran away with the golden boot this season, leading the NEC with 11 goals and 29 points. The Blackbirds sport three players with over 20 points on the year as Simen Hestens and Naeem Charles each have 23 and 21 points, respectfully. Last year's NEC tournament MVP Logan Keys is back in net, and holds a 1.49 goals against average and a .700 save percentage. 

LAST TIME THEY MET
The Flash shutout LIU on October 16th 3-0 in Loretto. Jack Webber (Bernville, Pa./Tulpehocken) scored twice to pace the Red Flash, who bottled up the LIU offense, limiting them to just three shots on goal. LIU bested the Red Flash in penalty kicks last season to win the NEC title on their home turf and topped SFU 1-0 in double overtime at LIU during the regular season. 

FOLLOW ALONG
The tournament will be aired on NEC Front Row . Host St. Francis Brooklyn is also providing live stats. 

LOOKING AHEAD
The winner of the match will take on the winner of host and #1 seeded St. Francis Brooklyn and the #4 seeded Sacred Heart Pioneers on Sunday at 1 p.m.