Thursday, October 2
Lynchburg, Va.
7:00 PM ET
Liberty University
6-2-2, 2-0-0
2
vs
1
Incarnate Word
4-3-3, 0-1-1
1
2
F
UIW
0
1
1
Liberty
0
2
2
Liberty Tops UIW 2-1 in OVC Play
10/2/2025 10:47:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LYNCHBURG, VA. – The Liberty Flames scored two goals early in the second half and then held off a late charge by the Incarnate Word Cardinals for a 2-1 victory in an Ohio Valley Conference match Thursday evening at Osborne Stadium.
After a scoreless first half, the host Flames jumped on the scoreboard minutes into the second half on a goal by Ben Carman. Later, Liberty made it 2-0, as the reigning OVC Offensive Player of the Week, Zach Lifferth, scored during the 70th minute.
The visiting Cardinals tried to mount a comeback and cut the Flames' advantage to 2-1 off a free kick during the 78th minute, but were held in check the rest of the way.
Defensively, Liberty forced the Cardinals outside the 18-yard box for shots, holding UIW to only one shot on goal in the contest.
With the win, Liberty moves to 2-0 in OVC play and 6-2-2 overall. UIW drops to 0-1-1 in conference and 4-3-3 overall.
Scoring Summary
50' – LIBERTY - Ben Carman (Assisted by Dylan Swinehart and Perry Blay)
70' – LIBERTY – Zach Lifferth (Assisted by Elijah John)
78' – UIW – Emmanuel Martinez (Assisted by Sello Diphoko and Noe Robles)
Key Stats & Notes
Next Up
Liberty welcomes the Houston Christian Huskies to Osborne Stadium for an OVC match on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
After a scoreless first half, the host Flames jumped on the scoreboard minutes into the second half on a goal by Ben Carman. Later, Liberty made it 2-0, as the reigning OVC Offensive Player of the Week, Zach Lifferth, scored during the 70th minute.
The visiting Cardinals tried to mount a comeback and cut the Flames' advantage to 2-1 off a free kick during the 78th minute, but were held in check the rest of the way.
Defensively, Liberty forced the Cardinals outside the 18-yard box for shots, holding UIW to only one shot on goal in the contest.
With the win, Liberty moves to 2-0 in OVC play and 6-2-2 overall. UIW drops to 0-1-1 in conference and 4-3-3 overall.
Scoring Summary
50' – LIBERTY - Ben Carman (Assisted by Dylan Swinehart and Perry Blay)
70' – LIBERTY – Zach Lifferth (Assisted by Elijah John)
78' – UIW – Emmanuel Martinez (Assisted by Sello Diphoko and Noe Robles)
Key Stats & Notes
- Liberty outshot UIW, 13-8, in the contest, including 9-2 in the second half.
- The Flames had six shots on goal in the match, while the Cardinals had one.
- Liberty held a 7-4 advantage over UIW in corner kicks.
- Lifferth, who scored three goals against Southern Indiana on Saturday, scored his OVC-leading sixth goal in the contest.
- Carman, who tallied Liberty's first goal, now has two goals on the season.
- Liberty assist leader Perry Blay recorded another assist this evening and now leads the Flames with six assists. The defender moves into second in the OVC in assists.
- Midfielders Elijah John and Dylan Swinehart also recorded assists in the contest. John now has three saves. Two of his assists have come on goals by Lifferth.
- With Liberty holding UIW to one shot on goal, Flames goalkeeper Tyler Beck did not make a save in the contest. UIW goalkeeper Alejandro DeLaTorre made four saves in the match.
- Liberty moves to 5-1-1 at home this season. The Flames have outscored their opponents, 23-7, at Osborne Stadium in 2025.
- Liberty and UIW will meet again this season in conference play in San Antonio, Texas, to finish the OVC regular season on Nov. 2.
Next Up
Liberty welcomes the Houston Christian Huskies to Osborne Stadium for an OVC match on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
50' | STRONG start to the second half ??
— Liberty Men's Soccer (@LibertyMSoccer) October 3, 2025
Ben Carman scores to take the lead for Liberty!
?? @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/LgPYzVQljs
70' | fourth goal in two games??
— Liberty Men's Soccer (@LibertyMSoccer) October 3, 2025
Zach Lifferth extends the lead!
?? @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/xZeLefvcOJ
Team Stats
UIW
LIB
Goals
1
2
Shots
8
13
Shots on Goal
1
6
Saves
4
0
Corners
4
7
Fouls
7
7
Scoring Plays
Ben Carman (2)
Assisted By: Dylan Swinehart , Perry Blay
Ball lofted into center of 18 - deflected for shot
49:11
Zach Lifferth (6)
Assisted By: Elijah John
Give & Go for shot at center just inside 18
69:44
Emmanuel Martinez (2)
Assisted By: Sello Diphoko , Noe Robles
Off free kick dropped into center - sent back for shot at top of 18 left cent
77:50
Game Leaders
fwd
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
def
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
GK
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