Saturday, September 16
Lynchburg, Va.
7:00 PM ET
Liberty University
5-1-0, 0-0-0
4
vs
1
USC Upstate
2-3-1, 0-0-0
1
2
F
USC Upstate
1
0
1
Liberty
2
2
4
Strong 2nd Half Defensive Effort Lifts Liberty to 4-1 Win Over USC Upstate
9/16/2023 10:48:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LYNCHBURG, VA. – The Liberty Flames shut down the USC Upstate attack with an outstanding second-half defensive effort to roll past the Spartans 4-1 Saturday at Osborne Stadium.
Leading 2-1 at halftime, the host Flames pulled away from the Spartans in the second half, holding the visitors to one shot over the final 45 minutes of the non-conference match.
Luke Eberle scored twice in the contest for the Flames, his first multi-goal game of his career. Gabe Findley and Michael Huss added a goal each in the victory.
Liberty moves to 5-1 on the year. USC Upstate drops to 2-3-1.
Scoring Summary
3' – LIBERTY – Luke Eberle (Penalty kick)
17' – LIBERTY – Gabe Findley (Assisted by Michael Huss and Carlos Trott)
19' – UPSTATE – Jeremy Montero (Unassisted)
50' – LIBERTY – Luke Eberle (Assisted by Gabe Findley)
85' – LIBERTY – Michael Huss (Assisted by Elijah John)
Turning Point
Liberty opened the second 45 minutes on the attack. Garnering a free kick near the sideline off the left side of the 18-yard box, Findley sent a kick forward that was blocked in front by a Spartan defender and pushed back toward midfield. Findley jumped on the loose ball and pushed the ball from just inside the box across to Eberle who ripped a shot in stride to the back of the net for a 3-1 advantage at 49:50.
The Flames' defense then took over, not allowing USC Upstate to gain any momentum on its attack. Liberty stifled the visitors allowing just one shot.
Key Stats & Notes
Liberty will travel to Winston-Salem, N.C., to square off with the No. 20 Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Tuesday. Match time at Spry Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Leading 2-1 at halftime, the host Flames pulled away from the Spartans in the second half, holding the visitors to one shot over the final 45 minutes of the non-conference match.
Luke Eberle scored twice in the contest for the Flames, his first multi-goal game of his career. Gabe Findley and Michael Huss added a goal each in the victory.
Liberty moves to 5-1 on the year. USC Upstate drops to 2-3-1.
Scoring Summary
3' – LIBERTY – Luke Eberle (Penalty kick)
17' – LIBERTY – Gabe Findley (Assisted by Michael Huss and Carlos Trott)
19' – UPSTATE – Jeremy Montero (Unassisted)
50' – LIBERTY – Luke Eberle (Assisted by Gabe Findley)
85' – LIBERTY – Michael Huss (Assisted by Elijah John)
Turning Point
Liberty opened the second 45 minutes on the attack. Garnering a free kick near the sideline off the left side of the 18-yard box, Findley sent a kick forward that was blocked in front by a Spartan defender and pushed back toward midfield. Findley jumped on the loose ball and pushed the ball from just inside the box across to Eberle who ripped a shot in stride to the back of the net for a 3-1 advantage at 49:50.
The Flames' defense then took over, not allowing USC Upstate to gain any momentum on its attack. Liberty stifled the visitors allowing just one shot.
Key Stats & Notes
- Liberty outshot USC Upstate, 14-7, in the contest. The Flames also held a 7-3 advantage on shots on goal.
- The Flames also held an 8-2 edge in corner kicks over the Spartans.
- Eberle collects the first multi-goal game of his career in the contest. The senior leads the Ohio Valley Conference and the Flames with five goals and 11 points in 2023.
- Huss netted his fourth goal of the season in the contest, tying his career-high for a season. The senior is second in the OVC in goals and points (9).
- Findley scored his third goal of 2023. The goal total is a new career-high for the midfielder. He also assisted on one of Eberle's goals and now has eight points.
- Owen Moore made two saves in the Liberty goal in the contest. USC Upstate goalkeeper Cooper Jennings recorded three saves.
- Freshman Elijah John records his first collegiate point by assisting on Huss' goal in the second half.
- With the win, the Flames remain unbeaten at home with a 4-0 mark.
- Liberty moves to 5-1 for the first time since starting the 2021 Spring season 6-0-1.
- The Flames have outscored their opponents, 15-9, on the year. Liberty leads the OVC in goals and has averaged 2.5 goals per game so far this season.
Liberty will travel to Winston-Salem, N.C., to square off with the No. 20 Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Tuesday. Match time at Spry Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Team Stats
UPST
LIB
Goals
1
4
Shots
7
14
Shots on Goal
3
7
Saves
3
2
Corners
2
8
Fouls
6
12
Scoring Plays
Luke Eberle (4)
LIB Luke Eberle PENALTY KICK GOAL.
02:36
Gabe Findley (3)
Assisted By: Michael Huss , Carlos Trott
Long ball played from back into space in attacking right sideline - moved forward to top of box insert ball to center for shot
16:28
Jeremy Montero (1)
gets deflection of own shot - moves to right for open shot
18:22
Luke Eberle (4)
Assisted By: Gabe Findley
pass from the top left of the box across to open space for a shot just above the box
49:50
Michael Huss (4)
Assisted By: Elijah John , Ocho Fasteen
loose ball gathered near midfield - long run forward sending pass ahead to open area for shot
84:16
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
5
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
MF
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