Sunday, October 1
Lynchburg, Va.
1:00 PM ET
Liberty University
7-2-0, 2-0-0
3
vs
1
Houston Christian
2-5-3, 0-1-1
1
2
F
Houston Christian
1
0
1
Liberty
2
1
3
Liberty Rides Early Goals to 3-1 Win over HCU
10/1/2023 5:29:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LYNCHBURG, Va. - Liberty's Luke Eberle scored two goals for an early 2-0 advantage and then used a solid defensive effort to down the Houston Christian Huskies 3-1, on Sunday afternoon in an Ohio Valley Conference match at Osborne Stadium.
Eberle, the OVC's leading goal scorer, netted his sixth and seventh goals of the season in the first 15 minutes of play in the victory. He scored on a free kick from 25 yards during the fourth minute of play and then netted his second goal of the afternoon on a shot at the left post during the 15th minute.
Liberty forward Gora Gora scored his second goal of the year in the 71st minute to push the Flames' lead back to two at 3-1.
The Flames move to 2-0 in OVC action and 7-2 overall. HCU falls to 0-1-1 in conference action and 2-5-3 overall.
Scoring Summary
4' – LIBERTY – Luke Eberle (Unassisted)
15' – LIBERTY – Luke Eberle (Assisted by Sam Farner and Michael Huss)
27' – HCU – D'Alessandro Herrera (Penalty kick)
71' – LIBERTY – Gora Gora (Assisted by Matthew Torrell and Elijah John)
Turning Point
Up 2-1, Liberty gave itself a larger margin to work during the 71st minute. Elijah John pushed a failed HCU clearing attempt on the left side of the field to Matthew Torrell who moved the ball forward. Coming upon a Husky defender, Torrell sent a pass to Gora who was free at the top of the 18-yard box. Gora ripped a shot into the lower left corner of the goal for a 3-1 Flames advantage.
Afterward, the Liberty defense allowed HCU two shots over and successfully warded off three corner kicks over the final 19 minutes of play to secure the win.
Key Stats & Notes
Next Up
Liberty will travel to Chicago, Ill., for its first-ever OVC road match on Thursday. The Flames will square off with the Chicago State Cougars at Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep Field. Match time is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST.
Eberle, the OVC's leading goal scorer, netted his sixth and seventh goals of the season in the first 15 minutes of play in the victory. He scored on a free kick from 25 yards during the fourth minute of play and then netted his second goal of the afternoon on a shot at the left post during the 15th minute.
Liberty forward Gora Gora scored his second goal of the year in the 71st minute to push the Flames' lead back to two at 3-1.
The Flames move to 2-0 in OVC action and 7-2 overall. HCU falls to 0-1-1 in conference action and 2-5-3 overall.
Scoring Summary
4' – LIBERTY – Luke Eberle (Unassisted)
15' – LIBERTY – Luke Eberle (Assisted by Sam Farner and Michael Huss)
27' – HCU – D'Alessandro Herrera (Penalty kick)
71' – LIBERTY – Gora Gora (Assisted by Matthew Torrell and Elijah John)
Turning Point
Up 2-1, Liberty gave itself a larger margin to work during the 71st minute. Elijah John pushed a failed HCU clearing attempt on the left side of the field to Matthew Torrell who moved the ball forward. Coming upon a Husky defender, Torrell sent a pass to Gora who was free at the top of the 18-yard box. Gora ripped a shot into the lower left corner of the goal for a 3-1 Flames advantage.
Afterward, the Liberty defense allowed HCU two shots over and successfully warded off three corner kicks over the final 19 minutes of play to secure the win.
Key Stats & Notes
- HCU outshot Liberty, 9-6, in the match. However, Liberty held a 5-3 edge on shots on goal.
- HCU also held an 11-4 advantage on corner kicks.
- For the second time this season, Eberle scores two goals in a game. The midfielder netted two goals in the Flames' 4-1 win over USC Upstate on Sept. 15 at Osborne Stadium.
- Sam Farner, Michael Huss, Torrell and John all recorded assists in the contest.
- Liberty goalkeeper Blake Franzen recorded two saves in the match. Both saves came in the second half. HCU keeper Alex Aitken made two saves.
- Liberty has scored three or more goals in six of its seven wins this season. The Flames lead the OVC in goals scored, averaging 2.89 per game.
- Eberle not only leads the OVC in goals scored but paces the conference in points with 15.
- With his fourth assist on the season, Huss is now tied for second in the OVC in assists. Meanwhile, Torrell is tied for third in the conference with three assists. Teammate Leo Conneh leads the conference with six.
- Liberty and HCU met for the first time on the soccer pitch this afternoon.
- The Flames remain unbeaten at home, running their record to 6-0 in 2023.
- Liberty opens conference play 2-0 for the first time since 2012 when it began its Big South slate at 2-0.
- The Flames wore their pink jerseys to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Next Up
Liberty will travel to Chicago, Ill., for its first-ever OVC road match on Thursday. The Flames will square off with the Chicago State Cougars at Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep Field. Match time is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST.
Team Stats
HCU
LIB
Goals
1
3
Shots
9
6
Shots on Goal
3
5
Saves
2
2
Corners
11
4
Fouls
9
13
Scoring Plays
Luke Eberle (7)
Free kick from 25 yards out left side
03:50
Luke Eberle (7)
Assisted By: Michael Huss , Sam Farner
Pushed ball up through midfield - pass at top of box to left post for score
14:20
D'Alessandro Herrera (4)
HCU D'Alessandro Herrera PENALTY KICK GOAL.
26:24
Gora Gora (2)
Assisted By: Matthew Torrell , Elijah John
Loose ball tapped ahead for carry from midfield - pass into center of box for shot
70:45
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
2
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's SoccerMF
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's SoccerCoach Findley Talks About The Tie With JMU
Monday, September 15
Follow the Leader: Kelly Findley
Thursday, August 28
Coach Findley & Aidan Morrison Talk About The Win Over USC Upstate
Monday, August 25
Coach Findley & Lucas Kelly Talk About The Win Over Regent
Friday, August 22