Wednesday, November 12
St. Charles, Mo.
8:00 PM ET/7:00 PM CT
Liberty University
9-5-6, 4-2-4
0
vs
1
Houston Christian
11-5-2, 5-3-2
1
2
F
Liberty
0
0
0
Houston Christian
1
0
1
No. 3 Seed Liberty Edged by No. 2 Seed HCU 1-0 in OVC Semifinal
11/12/2025 11:14:00 PM | Men's Soccer
ST. CHARLES, MO. – The No. 2 seed Houston Christian Huskies struck for a goal early in the first half and then held the No. 3 seed Liberty Flames attack at bay for a 1-0 victory Wednesday evening in the Ohio Valley Conference Semifinals at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium.
In a game between two evenly matched teams that were separated by one point in the conference standings during the regular season, a goal by the Huskies during the third minute by leading scorer Ryan Okerayi proved to be the difference.
Each team had six shots in the first half, and Liberty, applying added pressure, looking for the equalizer late, outshot HCU, 8-7, in the second half.
The Flames, playing in their first-ever OVC Semifinal, pressed the Huskies' defense during the final minutes of the regulation, but the HCU defense and OVC Goalkeeper of the Year Alex Aitken were able to hold their one-goal advantage for the victory to advance to the OVC Finals.
Liberty sees its season come to an end, finishing the year with a 9-5-6 record. HCU moves to 11-5-2 and advances to the OVC Final against No. 1 seed Lindenwood on Saturday.
Scoring Summary
3" – HCU – Ryan Okerayi (Assisted by Cesar Onut)
Key Stats & Notes
In a game between two evenly matched teams that were separated by one point in the conference standings during the regular season, a goal by the Huskies during the third minute by leading scorer Ryan Okerayi proved to be the difference.
Each team had six shots in the first half, and Liberty, applying added pressure, looking for the equalizer late, outshot HCU, 8-7, in the second half.
The Flames, playing in their first-ever OVC Semifinal, pressed the Huskies' defense during the final minutes of the regulation, but the HCU defense and OVC Goalkeeper of the Year Alex Aitken were able to hold their one-goal advantage for the victory to advance to the OVC Finals.
Liberty sees its season come to an end, finishing the year with a 9-5-6 record. HCU moves to 11-5-2 and advances to the OVC Final against No. 1 seed Lindenwood on Saturday.
Scoring Summary
3" – HCU – Ryan Okerayi (Assisted by Cesar Onut)
Key Stats & Notes
- In a highly competitive contest, Liberty edged HCU in shots, 14-13. The Flames had five shots on goal. The Huskies put four shots on target.
- Corner kicks were even at four for each team.
- Forward Zach Lifferth led the Flames with four shots.
- Elijah John, Leo Conneh and Spence Moler had two shots apiece for Liberty.
- Flames goalkeeper Tyler Beck made three saves in the match. Huskies goalkeeper Aitken recorded five saves in recording his ninth shutout of the season.
- Beck ends the season having played every minute in goal for the Flames. He entered the contest fifth in the nation in goalkeeper minutes played.
- Conneh, Moler and defender Casey McCarthy join Beck as the only Flames to start all 19 games.
- Liberty was playing its first-ever OVC Semifinal in its three years in the league. The Flames defeated No. 6 seed Eastern Illinois 1-0 on Sunday.
- With the close of the 2025 season, Kelly Findley's tenure as Liberty's head coach comes to a close. Findley, who guided the Flames' program for seven years, announced his retirement from collegiate coaching at the end of the year earlier this season.
Team Stats
LIB
HCU
Goals
0
1
Shots
14
13
Shots on Goal
5
4
Saves
3
5
Corners
4
4
Fouls
12
19
Scoring Plays
Ryan Okerayi (9)
Assisted By: Cezar Onut
GOAL by HCU Okerayi, Ryan Assist by Onut, Cezar.
02:27
Game Leaders
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's SoccerMF
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's SoccerLiberty Men's Soccer Defeats SIUE
Sunday, October 26
Coach Findley & Casey McCarthy Talk About The Win Over SIUE
Saturday, October 25
Men's Soccer Update w/ HC Kelly Findley
Friday, October 24
Liberty Men's Soccer Defeats Lindenwood
Monday, October 13