Men's and Women's Soccer Announces 2006 Schedule

4/19/06 -- Long Island University’s men’s and women’s soccer teams released its schedules for the 2006 season on Wednesday.

Seventh-year coach TJ Kostecky returns all 11 starters and 18 letterwinners in the fall. The Blackbirds, who won six contests in 2005 and the league title in 2004, had one of the youngest teams in the nation last season with 19 underclassman dotting the roster.

LIU competes in three tournaments, including its season opener at Radford on Saturday, August 26. In addition, they participate in the Dartmouth Soccer Classic on September 2 and 3 and then face a pair of teams from San Diego – University of San Diego and San Diego State- in mid-September.

The Blackbirds home opener will be their own annual tournament on September 8, against UC Irvine. Conference play will begin on September 29 as LIU travels to Sacred Heart.

The women won a program-best 13 games last fall and finished second in the Northeast Conference regular season standings. The Blackbirds advanced to the tournament finals, falling to eventual NCAA participant Central Connecticut State, 1-0.

Sixth-year coach Tracey Bartholomew returns eight starters and 14 letterwinners. The Blackbirds defense posted a league-best .73 goals against average last season, 25th in the nation.

LIU opens its slate with a west coast swing, taking on St. Mary’s (CA) on Friday, August 25 and facing Pacific two days later.

The Blackbirds commence their home schedule on Thursday, August 31, hosting Rider. In addition to the Broncs, they entertain Oregon State and Binghamton in non-conference play. LIU’s league opener is slated for September 29 at home versus Wagner.