Sunday, October 5
Lynchburg, Va.
7:00 PM ET
Liberty University
6-3-2, 2-1-0
0
vs
1
Houston Christian
6-3-1, 1-1-1
1
2
F
Houston Christian
0
1
1
Liberty
0
0
0
HCU Slips Past Liberty 1-0
10/5/2025 10:51:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LYNCHBURG, VA. – The Houston Christian Huskies scored the match's lone goal in the 49th minute to outlast the Liberty Flames 1-0 at Osborne Stadium on Sunday evening in an Ohio Valley Conference contest.
After a tightly-played scoreless first half, the visiting Huskies struck for the contest's only goal early in the second. Off of Ben Thirkill's corner kick during the 49th minute, defender Nico Kross' header from the middle of the box found the top left corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead.
Outstanding play by HCU goalkeeper Alex Aitken, who made eight saves in the second half, kept the Flames off the scoreboard the rest of the way. Liberty fired 12 shots during the second half, but was unable to find the equalizer.
Liberty drops its first OVC contest of the season, falling to 2-1 in OVC action and 6-3-2 overall. HCU moves to 1-1-1 in OVC play and moves to 6-3-1 overall.
Scoring Summary
49' – HCU – Nico Kross (Assisted by Ben Thirkill)
Key Stats & Notes
Liberty will travel to Evansville, Ill., for its OVC road match of 2025 on Thursday. The Flames will face the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles at Strassweg Field. Match time is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET/12 p.m. CT. Liberty and USI met on Sept. 27 at Osborne Stadium with the Flames downing the Eagles 6-1.
After a tightly-played scoreless first half, the visiting Huskies struck for the contest's only goal early in the second. Off of Ben Thirkill's corner kick during the 49th minute, defender Nico Kross' header from the middle of the box found the top left corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead.
Outstanding play by HCU goalkeeper Alex Aitken, who made eight saves in the second half, kept the Flames off the scoreboard the rest of the way. Liberty fired 12 shots during the second half, but was unable to find the equalizer.
Liberty drops its first OVC contest of the season, falling to 2-1 in OVC action and 6-3-2 overall. HCU moves to 1-1-1 in OVC play and moves to 6-3-1 overall.
Scoring Summary
49' – HCU – Nico Kross (Assisted by Ben Thirkill)
Key Stats & Notes
- Liberty held a 17-10 advantage over HCU in shots. The Flames had a season-high 12 shots on goal, and the Huskies had five shots on goal.
- HCU held an 8-6 edge over Liberty in corner kicks.
- Liberty midfielder Aidan Morrison led the Flames with three shots, two on goal, in the contest.
- Liberty forwards Sam Farner and Dylan Swinehart each had two shots in the game, both on goal.
- HCU defender Kross scored his first goal of the season in the match.
- Liberty goalkeeper Tyler Beck made four saves. HCU goalkeeper Aitken recorded a career-high 12 saves. The senior picked up his fifth shutout of 2025.
- Liberty drops to 5-2-1 at home this season. The Flames have two home games remaining.
- Liberty and HCU will meet again this season in OVC action in Houston, Texas, on Oct. 30.
Liberty will travel to Evansville, Ill., for its OVC road match of 2025 on Thursday. The Flames will face the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles at Strassweg Field. Match time is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET/12 p.m. CT. Liberty and USI met on Sept. 27 at Osborne Stadium with the Flames downing the Eagles 6-1.
Team Stats
HCU
LIB
Goals
1
0
Shots
10
17
Shots on Goal
5
12
Saves
12
4
Corners
8
6
Fouls
11
6
Scoring Plays
Nico Kross (1)
Assisted By: Ben Thirkill
Corner kick into center of 18 - headed in
48:44
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
GK
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