Sunday, October 8
Lynchburg, Va.
1:00 PM ET
Liberty University
7-4-0, 2-2-0
0
vs
2
SIUE
8-0-3, 3-0-1
1
2
F
SIUE
1
1
2
Liberty
0
0
0
SIUE Edges Liberty in Tightly-Contested Match 2-0
10/8/2023 4:18:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LYNCHBURG, VA. – The SIUE Cougars outlasted the Liberty Flames 2-0 in a tightly played Ohio Valley Conference match Sunday afternoon at Osborne Stadium.
The visiting Cougars jumped out to a 1-0 advantage less than a minute into the contest and then matched the Flames defensive effort to hand Liberty its first setback at home this season.
Liberty held SIUE to just two shots on goal in the contest, while the Cougars limited the Flames to 12 total shots in the game. SIUE goalkeeper Sam Gomez made eight saves in the contest.
Liberty drops to 2-2 in OVC play and 7-4 overall. SIUE remains unbeaten moving to 3-0-1 in the OVC and 3-0-1 overall.
Scoring Summary
1' – SIUE - Mitchell Murphy (Unassisted)
80' – SIUE - Mitchell Murphy (Penalty kick)
Turning Point
Trying to hold possession to prevent a Liberty attack in the closing minutes, SIUE was able to send leading goal scorer Mitchell Murphy into the 18-yard box alone. Liberty goalkeeper Blake Franzen came off his goal line to try and knock the ball away only to upend Murphy who was awarded a penalty kick.
Murphy made the ensuing kick to give the visiting Cougars a 2-0 lead during the 80th minute as the Cougars went on to complete the shutout.
Key Stats & Notes
Next Up
Liberty continues OVC play with a road game against the Eastern Illinois Panthers. Kickoff at Lakeside Field in Charleston, Ill., is scheduled for 5 p.m. EST/4 p.m. CST on Thursday.
The visiting Cougars jumped out to a 1-0 advantage less than a minute into the contest and then matched the Flames defensive effort to hand Liberty its first setback at home this season.
Liberty held SIUE to just two shots on goal in the contest, while the Cougars limited the Flames to 12 total shots in the game. SIUE goalkeeper Sam Gomez made eight saves in the contest.
Liberty drops to 2-2 in OVC play and 7-4 overall. SIUE remains unbeaten moving to 3-0-1 in the OVC and 3-0-1 overall.
Scoring Summary
1' – SIUE - Mitchell Murphy (Unassisted)
80' – SIUE - Mitchell Murphy (Penalty kick)
Turning Point
Trying to hold possession to prevent a Liberty attack in the closing minutes, SIUE was able to send leading goal scorer Mitchell Murphy into the 18-yard box alone. Liberty goalkeeper Blake Franzen came off his goal line to try and knock the ball away only to upend Murphy who was awarded a penalty kick.
Murphy made the ensuing kick to give the visiting Cougars a 2-0 lead during the 80th minute as the Cougars went on to complete the shutout.
Key Stats & Notes
- Liberty outshot SIUE, 12-9, in the contest. The Flames had eight shots on goal, while the Cougars had two on goal.
- Liberty held an 8-1 advantage on corner kicks.
- Murphy scored both SIUE goals, his fourth and fifth of 2023, and is tied for second in the OVC in goals. Liberty's Luke Eberle leads the conference with seven.
- Flames forward Michael Huss led Liberty with three shots, all on goal. Fellow Flames forward Gora Gora had two shots on goal.
- Franzen did not record a save in the contest. Gomez made a career-high eight saves in the match.
- Liberty falls to 6-1 at Osborne Stadium. The Flames entered the contest having outscored their opponents, 23-7, at home this season.
- SIUE and Liberty were meeting for the first time in each of their program's history this afternoon.
Next Up
Liberty continues OVC play with a road game against the Eastern Illinois Panthers. Kickoff at Lakeside Field in Charleston, Ill., is scheduled for 5 p.m. EST/4 p.m. CST on Thursday.
Team Stats
SIUE
LIB
Goals
2
0
Shots
9
12
Shots on Goal
2
8
Saves
8
0
Corners
1
8
Fouls
11
7
Scoring Plays
Mitchell Murphy (4)
Pick up of failed clear for shot from 25 yds right
00:58
Mitchell Murphy (4)
SIUE Mitchell Murphy PENALTY KICK GOAL.
79:42
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
3
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
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