Liberty University
7-9-2
Presbyterian
7-10-2
Liberty Falls to Presbyterian, 2-1, in Big South Quarterfinals
11/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
The visiting No. 5 seed Presbyterian Blue Hose scored during the 80th minute, edging the No. 4 seed Liberty Flames, 2-1, in the Big South Men's Soccer Quarterfinals, Sunday at Osborne Stadium.
With the match knotted at 1-1, Blue Hose forward Mason Lewis, a Big South All-Conference team member, made a long throw in from the right sideline into the center of the 18-yard box. The throw deflected off defender Bruce Oliver and trickled in for what proved to be the game-winner at 79:19.
Midfielder Jovanni Chavez scored Liberty's lone goal in the contest.
Liberty ends the season with a 7-9-2 record. Presbyterian moves to 7-10-2 on the year and advances to meet No. 1 Radford, Wednesday night in Radford, Va.
The contest was a tightly played, defensive match throughout the entire 90 minutes.
Neither team was able to find the net during the first half. Presbyterian used its counter-attack to outshoot Liberty, 5-2, in the opening period.
Flames midfielder and all-conference first team member Kevin Mendoza moved past a defender and fired a shot from the right side of the field, 20 yards out. PC goalkeeper Connor Behrend pounced on the airborne shot for the save.
During the 37th minute, the Blue Hose worked Oliver open for a shot off a corner kick. However, Liberty goalkeeper James Knoebel corralled the shot, keeping the contest scoreless.
The Flames struck for the match's first goal early in the second half. Pepe Segarra sent a pass to the feet of Big South Attacking Player of the Year Tresor Mbuyu. The forward turned and a pushed a crossing pass from the left sideline to the right post, where Chavez tipped the ball into the top of the net for his fourth goal of the year and a 1-0 Liberty lead at 48:06.
Chavez tried to add to the Flames' advantage during the 59th minute. Mendoza inserted the ball into the right side of the box, where it deflected off a defender to Chavez. The midfielder pushed a shot toward net off of a defender, forcing Behrend to reach behind him to make the save.
Presbyterian knotted the contest during the 65th minute. Forward Sergio Pinto took a pass from midfield and scored from 35 yards out for his fourth goal of the year, evening the score at 1-1.
After Oliver gave the Blue Hose the 2-1 edge, Liberty pushed forward looking for the equalizer, but Presbyterian held on for the victory.
Shots were even in the contest at eight apiece. Liberty held a 3-2 edge in corner kicks.
Knoebel recorded two saves for the Flames. Behrend made three stops for the Blue Hose.
Team Stats
CHAVEZ, Jovanni (4)
Assisted By: MBUYU, Tresor , SEGARRA, Pepe
*crossing pass from left side to far rig
48:06
PINTO, Sergio (4)
Assisted By: CROW, Cade
*shot from 35 yards center
64:39
OLIVIER, Bruce (1)
Assisted By: LEWIS, Mason
*thrown into box and deflected off 5
79:19
