The LIU Sharks men's soccer team represents Long Island University in NCAA Division I college soccer. LIU men's soccer competes in the Northeast Conference (NEC). The Shark play their home games at LIU Soccer Park, located in Old Westbury, New York, since 2014. The venue is also used by the women's team.
LIU has won the NEC regular season four times, and the tournament seven times.
In 2019, the Division I LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds and Division II LIU-Post Pioneers combined all their athletic programs, including men's soccer. Beginning with the 2019 season, they compete as the "LIU Sharks".
The NEC began hosting conference tournaments in 1989. LIU has been NEC tournament champions in 1997, 2004, 2015, 2018, 2021, 2023, and 2024.
LIU has been to the NCAA tournament in 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1997, 2004, 2015, 2018, 2021, 2023, and 2024.
LIU began play in 1933 as "LIU Brooklyn", finishing 3âÂÂ3âÂÂ1 in their first season. LIU-Post began play in 1959, with a 7âÂÂ11âÂÂ0 record.
The Sharks made their NCAA tournament debut in 1963. They lost their first-ever tourney game in the Sweet 16 to Bridgeport 3âÂÂ1.
LIU lost in the Sweet 16 of the 1965 tournament to Army, who went on to the 1965 College Cup (Final 4).
At the 1966 tournament, LIU had its greatest NCAA tournament run in school history, making it to the national championship game, where they lost 5âÂÂ2 to San Francisco.
A year after their loss in the title game, the Sharks returned to College Cup (Final 4) at the 1967 NCAA soccer tournament, where they lost 4âÂÂ0 to Michigan State.
After a four year absence from the NCAA tournament, LIU returned in 1971 in the 24-team format. LIU lost in the first round to Cornell, 2âÂÂ1.
In 1972, LIU defeated NYU 2-1 in the first round to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. In the Sweet 16, they again lost to Cornell, 3âÂÂ2.
In the team's third straight NCAA tournament appearance in 1973, LIU lost 3âÂÂ2 to Hartwick College in the 1st round.
The 1977 NCAA tournament appearance ended with a 2âÂÂ1 first round loss to Cornell. The third team in four appearances the Sharks were knocked out by Cornell.
In the 1981 tournament, LIU was awarded an auto-bid to the Sweet 16. In the Sweet 16 they defeated Columbia 1âÂÂ0 in 4OT to advance to the Elite 8 for the first time since 1967. In the Elite 8, they were eliminated by UConn, the eventual national champions.
In 1982, LIU received a near identical outcome to their 1981 appearance. In the Sweet 16 the Sharks defeated Columbia 3âÂÂ1 to advance to the Elite 8. In the Elite 8, UConn eliminated them 1âÂÂ0. UConn, the defending national champs fell in the Final 4.
LIU lost in the first round of the 1985 tournament to Columbia 3âÂÂ1.
The Sharks received an auto bid to the Sweet 16 in 1986 but lost 3âÂÂ2 to Hartwick College.
After the teamâÂÂs 1986 NCAA tournament appearance, they would not return to the tournament until the 1997 NCAA Division I men's soccer tournament 11 years later. LIU lost to Boston University 1âÂÂ0 in the NCAA tournament play-in game.
In 2004, LIU returned to the NCAA tournament after a seven year absence with a first round 3âÂÂ0 loss to American in the 48-team tourney.
At the 2015 tournament, LIU lost in the first round in penalties to Rutgers.
In 2018, LIU lost in the first round to West Virginia 4âÂÂ2.
At the 2021 tournament, the Sharks defeated Maryland 1âÂÂ0 in the first round of the tournament. In the round of 32, they were defeated 5âÂÂ1 by Saint Louis.
In 2023, LIU defeated Sacred Heart 1âÂÂ0 to win the NEC championship and the conferenceâÂÂs automatic NCAA tournament berth. In the 2023 NCAA tournament, the Sharks lost 2âÂÂ1 to Denver in round 1.
In 2024, LIU won the NEC championship in penalties over FDU after 2OT. In the 2024 NCAA tournament, the Sharks lost 5âÂÂ2 to Maryland in the 1st round in College Park, Maryland.