Thursday, October 26
Houston, Texas
8:00 PM ET/7:00 PM CT
Liberty University
9-5-2, 4-3-2
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Houston Christian
4-7-6, 2-3-4
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Liberty
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Houston Christian
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Liberty Ties HCU With Late Goal 1-1
10/26/2023 11:44:00 PM | Men's Soccer
HOUSTON, Texas – Liberty's Bryce Swinehart scored during the 86th minute as the Flames tied the Houston Christian Huskies 1-1 in an Ohio Valley Conference match Thursday evening at Sorrels Field.
Trailing 1-0, Liberty, which had controlled play and outshot host HCU 8-2 in the second half, had been held scoreless by the Huskies until Swinehart's goal. Off a corner kick from the left side of the field, the defender headed the ball near the goal's right post and scored to tie the contest for what ended up being the final score of 1-1.
The Flames move to 4-3-2 in OVC play and 9-5-2 overall. The Huskies move to 2-3-4 in the OVC and 4-7-6 overall.
Scoring Summary
24' – HCU – Ryan Okerayi (Assisted by D'Alessandro Herrera)
86' – LIBERTY – Bryce Swinehart (Assisted by Luke Eberle and Gabe Findley)
Turning Point
After Luke Eberle had his free kick from 25 yards out deflected out of play by HCU goalkeeper Alex Aitken for a corner kick trailing 1-0 during the 86th minute, the Flames found the equalizer. Midfielder Gabe Findley put the kick from the left corner at the near left post of the goal where Eberle headed the ball across the goal. At the far post, Swinehart pounced, heading the ball into the low corner to knot the score at 1-1.
Key Stats & Notes
Next Up
Liberty will close out the 2023 regular season with an OVC match against the UIW Cardinals on Sunday. The contest will determine which team is the No. 2 seed and receives a first-round bye for the conference tournament. Match time at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Trailing 1-0, Liberty, which had controlled play and outshot host HCU 8-2 in the second half, had been held scoreless by the Huskies until Swinehart's goal. Off a corner kick from the left side of the field, the defender headed the ball near the goal's right post and scored to tie the contest for what ended up being the final score of 1-1.
The Flames move to 4-3-2 in OVC play and 9-5-2 overall. The Huskies move to 2-3-4 in the OVC and 4-7-6 overall.
Scoring Summary
24' – HCU – Ryan Okerayi (Assisted by D'Alessandro Herrera)
86' – LIBERTY – Bryce Swinehart (Assisted by Luke Eberle and Gabe Findley)
Turning Point
After Luke Eberle had his free kick from 25 yards out deflected out of play by HCU goalkeeper Alex Aitken for a corner kick trailing 1-0 during the 86th minute, the Flames found the equalizer. Midfielder Gabe Findley put the kick from the left corner at the near left post of the goal where Eberle headed the ball across the goal. At the far post, Swinehart pounced, heading the ball into the low corner to knot the score at 1-1.
Key Stats & Notes
- Liberty held a 14-9 advantage over HCU in shots. The Flames put six shots on goals, while the Huskies put three shots on frame.
- Liberty held a 5-3 edge over HCU on corner kicks.
- Swinehart scores for the second consecutive game and has scored a career-high five goals this season.
- Gabe Findley and Luke Eberle assisted on the goal. Eberle leads the Flames with 18 points (7 goals, 4 assists) and the OVC by averaging 1.13 points per game.
- Liberty goalkeeper Owen Moore made two saves. HCU goalkeeper Alex Aitken recorded five saves.
- Both of the Flames' ties in 2023 have come on the road during conference play. Liberty is 2-3-2 on the road with one game remaining during the regular season.
- With their 35th goal tonight, the Flames have scored the most goals in a season by a Liberty team since the 2010 Flames scored 35.
- With the tie this evening, the Liberty needs to win or tie at UIW on Sunday to claim the No. 2 seed outright and a first-round bye for the upcoming OVC Tournament.
Next Up
Liberty will close out the 2023 regular season with an OVC match against the UIW Cardinals on Sunday. The contest will determine which team is the No. 2 seed and receives a first-round bye for the conference tournament. Match time at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.
BRYCE SWINEHART with the equalizer in the 86th minute to tie HCU at 1-1! ?????? pic.twitter.com/CBSSosEbuH
— Liberty Men's Soccer (@LibertyMSoccer) October 27, 2023
Team Stats
LIB
HCU
Goals
1
1
Shots
14
9
Shots on Goal
6
3
Saves
2
5
Corners
5
3
Fouls
9
20
Scoring Plays
Ryan Okerayi (7)
Assisted By: D'Alessandro Herrera
Takeaway midfield ... thru to Herrera with a nice pass ahead to Okerayi for the lower right drawer finish.
23:23
Bryce Swinehart (5)
Assisted By: Gabe Findley , Luke Eberle
Off the corner one touch from Eberle to Swineheart just past the arms of goalkeeper.
85:26
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
5
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Men's SoccerMF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's SoccerD
/ Men's Soccer
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