Thursday, September 28
Lynchburg, Va.
7:00 PM ET
Liberty University
6-2-0, 1-0-0
7
vs
1
Chicago State
2-6-1, 0-1-0
1
2
F
Chicago St.
0
1
1
Liberty
4
3
7
Liberty Cruises Past Chicago State in OVC Opener 7-1
9/28/2023 10:34:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LYNCHBURG, VA. - The Liberty Flames opened conference play in grand fashion, rolling past the Chicago State Cougars 7-1 at Osborne Stadium on the first-ever night of men's soccer competition in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Thursday.
Making their conference debut a grand one, the Flames, who entered the evening averaging 2.29 goals per game, tallied a season-high seven goals in the contest, controlling play throughout the contest.
On the night of firsts, four of Liberty's six goal scorers in the contest netted his first goal of the season in the match. Freshman forward Leo Conneh scored his first two goals of the season, while Sam Farner, Gora Gora and Elijah John each netted their first goal of 2023 in the contest.
In addition, Conneh, the OVC assists leader, had two assists in the match to finish the night with a Liberty-high single season game-high six points.
Gabe Findley and Bryce Swinehart also each scored a goal in the victory.
Liberty moves to 1-0 in OVC action and 6-2 overall. Chicago State drops to 0-1 in the OVC and 2-6-1 overall.
Scoring Summary
11' – LIBERTY – Sam Farner (Assisted by Michael Huss)
15' – LIBERTY – Gabe Findley (Assisted by Leo Conneh)
38' – LIBERTY – Bryce Swinehart (Assisted by Carlos Trott)
38' – LIBERTY – Leo Conneh (Assisted by Matthew Torrell and Gora Gora)
57' – CSU – Arafath Ouro-Gnao (Assisted by Shaquan Reid)
59' – LIBERTY – Leo Conneh (Assisted by Michael Huss)
73' – LIBERTY – Gora Gora (Assisted by Leo Conneh)
83' – LIBERTY – Elijah John (Penalty kick)
Key Stats & Notes
The Flames will welcome the HCU Huskies for an OVC match at Osborne Stadium on Sunday. Match time is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Making their conference debut a grand one, the Flames, who entered the evening averaging 2.29 goals per game, tallied a season-high seven goals in the contest, controlling play throughout the contest.
On the night of firsts, four of Liberty's six goal scorers in the contest netted his first goal of the season in the match. Freshman forward Leo Conneh scored his first two goals of the season, while Sam Farner, Gora Gora and Elijah John each netted their first goal of 2023 in the contest.
In addition, Conneh, the OVC assists leader, had two assists in the match to finish the night with a Liberty-high single season game-high six points.
Gabe Findley and Bryce Swinehart also each scored a goal in the victory.
Liberty moves to 1-0 in OVC action and 6-2 overall. Chicago State drops to 0-1 in the OVC and 2-6-1 overall.
Scoring Summary
11' – LIBERTY – Sam Farner (Assisted by Michael Huss)
15' – LIBERTY – Gabe Findley (Assisted by Leo Conneh)
38' – LIBERTY – Bryce Swinehart (Assisted by Carlos Trott)
38' – LIBERTY – Leo Conneh (Assisted by Matthew Torrell and Gora Gora)
57' – CSU – Arafath Ouro-Gnao (Assisted by Shaquan Reid)
59' – LIBERTY – Leo Conneh (Assisted by Michael Huss)
73' – LIBERTY – Gora Gora (Assisted by Leo Conneh)
83' – LIBERTY – Elijah John (Penalty kick)
Key Stats & Notes
- Liberty outshot Chicago State, 20-6, in the match. The Flames had 15 shots on goal, while the visiting Cougars had three.
- Liberty also held the edge on corner kicks, 6-2.
- Conneh is the second Liberty player to score two goals in a game this season. Senior midfielder Luke Eberle scored two goals in the Flames' 4-1 victory over USC Upstate at Osborne Stadium on Sept. 16.
- Conneh records two assists in a game for the second time this season. He had two to open the season in a 3-2 win over Saint Peter's on Aug. 24. The freshman leads the OVC and Liberty with six assists.
- Findley scored his fourth goal of the season and Swinehart his third.
- With two assists in the contest, Michael Huss ties Eberle for the OVC and team points lead with 11. Conneh and Findley each have 10 points apiece. The four Flames top the OVC in points.
- Flames' goalkeeper Owen Moore made one save in the contest. Cougars' keeper Lucas Fontana made six saves in the match. Each team recorded a team save.
- Liberty scores seven or more goals in a game for the first time since a 9-1 win over VMI at Osborne Stadium on Oct. 12, 2021.
- Liberty leads the OVC with 23 goals on the year. The Flames are averaging 2.88 goals per game in 2023.
- With two assists this evening, Conneh now leads the OVC with six assists.
- Four of the OVC's top six goal scorers are Flames. Eberle leads the conference with five goals followed by Huss (4), Findley (4) and Swinehart (3).
- With the victory, Liberty remains undefeated at home, moving its record at Osborne Stadium to 5-0 on the year.
- Liberty and Chicago State met on the soccer pitch for the first time in their program's history this evening.
- Tonight, was the first-ever night of OVC men's soccer action. Men's soccer became the 24th sport sponsored by the OVC this year.
The Flames will welcome the HCU Huskies for an OVC match at Osborne Stadium on Sunday. Match time is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Team Stats
CSU
LIB
Goals
1
7
Shots
6
20
Shots on Goal
3
15
Saves
7
1
Corners
2
6
Fouls
12
6
Scoring Plays
Sam Farner (1)
Assisted By: Michael Huss
forward dekes out defender on left side of 6 - pass into center for shot
10:15
Gabe Findley (4)
Assisted By: Leo Conneh
Loose ball picked up and lofted to open man for shot from top left of 18
14:18
Bryce Swinehart (3)
Assisted By: Carlos Trott
shot off saved shot for score
37:30
Leo Conneh (2)
Assisted By: Matthew Torrell , Gora Gora
Picked up failed clear - pass into center of box for shot
37:56
Arafath Ouro-Gnao (2)
Assisted By: Shaquan Reid
Ball lofted from right side of box to far post for score
56:21
Leo Conneh (2)
Assisted By: Michael Huss
Give & Go for score
58:47
Gora Gora (1)
Assisted By: Leo Conneh
Pass from left side of box towards far post for score
72:24
Elijah John
LIB Elijah John PENALTY KICK GOAL.
82:22
Game Leaders
Players
fwd
Shots
3
SOG
3
Goals
2
Assists
2
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's SoccerD
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
D
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