Thursday, August 24
Lynchburg, Va.
7:00 PM ET
Liberty University
1-0-0, 0-0-0
3
vs
2
Saint Peter's
0-1-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Saint Peter's
2
0
2
Liberty
2
1
3
Late Goal Pushes Liberty Past Saint Peter’s 3-2 in Season Opener
8/24/2023 11:19:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LYNCHBURG, VA. – Michael Huss scored with 32 seconds left, propelling the Liberty Flames past the Saint Peter's Peacocks 3-2, Thursday evening at Osborne Stadium.
Despite controlling play throughout the second half, the Flames could not break the stalemate in the 2023 season opener for both teams until late. Defender Carlos Trott lifted a ball from Liberty's defensive end into space above the 18-yard box for forward Leo Conneh. The freshman pushed forward and sent a pass into the left side of the box for Huss, who ripped a shot into the back of the net for the game-winner.
Gabe Findley and Kyle Garnett also scored goals for the Flames, as the teams headed to halftime tied at 2-2.
After a tightly played first half, Liberty outshot Saint Peter's, 13-4, in the second half.
Liberty moves to 1-0 on the season. Saint Peter's drops to 0-1.
Scoring Summary
2' – SPU – Daniel Larsson (Unassisted)
8' – LIBERTY – Gabe Findley (Assisted by Leo Conneh)
17' – SPU – Daniel Larsson (Assisted by Fabian Schmid and Tom Climpson)
38' – LIBERTY – Kyle Garnett (Assisted by Luke Eberle)
90' – LIBERTY – Michael Huss (Assisted by Leo Conneh and Carlos Trott)
Turning Point
After Liberty took the 3-2 lead, Saint Peter's pushed forward in search of the equalizer. Peacocks' midfielder Fabian Schmid took a pass at the top of the box with 12 seconds left and fired a shot toward the left post which skirted past the outside of the post.
Key Stats & Notes
Liberty will host Belmont Abbey at Osborne Stadium on Monday. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Despite controlling play throughout the second half, the Flames could not break the stalemate in the 2023 season opener for both teams until late. Defender Carlos Trott lifted a ball from Liberty's defensive end into space above the 18-yard box for forward Leo Conneh. The freshman pushed forward and sent a pass into the left side of the box for Huss, who ripped a shot into the back of the net for the game-winner.
Gabe Findley and Kyle Garnett also scored goals for the Flames, as the teams headed to halftime tied at 2-2.
After a tightly played first half, Liberty outshot Saint Peter's, 13-4, in the second half.
Liberty moves to 1-0 on the season. Saint Peter's drops to 0-1.
Scoring Summary
2' – SPU – Daniel Larsson (Unassisted)
8' – LIBERTY – Gabe Findley (Assisted by Leo Conneh)
17' – SPU – Daniel Larsson (Assisted by Fabian Schmid and Tom Climpson)
38' – LIBERTY – Kyle Garnett (Assisted by Luke Eberle)
90' – LIBERTY – Michael Huss (Assisted by Leo Conneh and Carlos Trott)
Turning Point
After Liberty took the 3-2 lead, Saint Peter's pushed forward in search of the equalizer. Peacocks' midfielder Fabian Schmid took a pass at the top of the box with 12 seconds left and fired a shot toward the left post which skirted past the outside of the post.
Key Stats & Notes
- Liberty outshot Saint Peter's, 24-9, in the contest. The Flames had eight shots on goal. The Peacocks had seven shots on frame.
- The host Flames held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks. However, the Peacocks' second goal of the game during the 17th minute came off a corner kick.
- Liberty goalkeeper Blake Franzen made four saves during the full 90 minutes in the Flames' net. Pedro Alves recorded five saves in the contest for Saint Peter's.
- Senior forward Garnet scored his first career goal in the contest.
- Conneh assisted on two goals in his collegiate debut.
- Liberty moves to 4-1 in season openers under head coach Kelly Findley and is 10-1 in openers since 2013.
Liberty will host Belmont Abbey at Osborne Stadium on Monday. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Team Stats
STP
LIB
Goals
2
3
Shots
9
24
Shots on Goal
7
8
Saves
5
4
Corners
2
5
Fouls
12
13
Scoring Plays
Daniel Larsson (2)
deflection off a defender in front for shot 8 yards out
01:06
Gabe Findley (1)
Assisted By: Leo Conneh
GOAL by LIB Findley, Gabe Assist by Conneh, Leo.
07:18
Daniel Larsson (2)
Assisted By: Fabian Schmid , Tom Climpson
Off corner kick - headed down in box - shot in front
16:36
Kyle Garnett (1)
Assisted By: Luke Eberle
popped up from left post in front for header in top right corner
37:23
Michael Huss (1)
Assisted By: Leo Conneh , Carlos Trott
long pass from back to 20 in space - run to top of box - pass across to left side for shot
89:28
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
5
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
2
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's SoccerMF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
D
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