Sunday, November 9
St. Charles, Mo.
4:00 PM ET/3:00 PM CT
Liberty University
9-4-6, 4-2-4
1
vs
0
Eastern Illinois
4-9-4, 3-4-3
1
2
F
Eastern Ill.
0
0
0
Liberty
1
0
1
No. 3 Seed Liberty Blanks No. 6 Seed Eastern Illinois to Advance to OVC Semifinals
11/9/2025 7:47:00 PM | Men's Soccer
ST. CHARLES, MO. – The No. 3 seed Liberty Flames used a strong defensive effort to shut out the No. 6 seed Eastern Illinois Panthers 1-0 in the Ohio Valley Conference Quarterfinals on Sunday at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium. With the win, the Flames advance to the OVC Semifinals on Wednesday.
Flames senior forward Sam Farner scored his fifth goal of the season off a corner kick during the 19th minute for the game's only goal.
Liberty's defensive pressure throughout the contest never allowed Eastern Illinois to set up an offensive attack. The Flames allowed the Panthers only one shot on goal out of their 10 shot attempts in the contest. In addition, Liberty was able to control possession, including holding the ball in the late stages of the match on its attacking end, as Eastern Illinois tried to find the equalizer.
Liberty moves to 9-4-6 on the season and advances to play the No. 2 seed Houston Christian Huskies in the OVC Semifinals on Wednesday evening at Hunter Stadium. Eastern Illinois ends its season at 4-9-4.
Scoring Summary
19" – LIBERTY – Sam Farner (Assisted by Ty Conley and Elijah John)
Key Stats & Notes
Next Up
Liberty will face the No. 2 seed Houston Christian Huskies in the second semifinal game at the OVC Men's Soccer Championship on Wednesday evening at Hunter Stadium. Match time is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST.
Flames senior forward Sam Farner scored his fifth goal of the season off a corner kick during the 19th minute for the game's only goal.
Liberty's defensive pressure throughout the contest never allowed Eastern Illinois to set up an offensive attack. The Flames allowed the Panthers only one shot on goal out of their 10 shot attempts in the contest. In addition, Liberty was able to control possession, including holding the ball in the late stages of the match on its attacking end, as Eastern Illinois tried to find the equalizer.
Liberty moves to 9-4-6 on the season and advances to play the No. 2 seed Houston Christian Huskies in the OVC Semifinals on Wednesday evening at Hunter Stadium. Eastern Illinois ends its season at 4-9-4.
Scoring Summary
19" – LIBERTY – Sam Farner (Assisted by Ty Conley and Elijah John)
Key Stats & Notes
- Liberty outshot Eastern Illinois, 12-10. The Flames had seven shots on goal, while the Panthers put only one on target.
- Liberty held a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks.
- Farner's five goals are a career high for the senior. He also has four assists on the season for a career-high 14 points.
- Defender Ty Conley and midfielder Elijah John each had an assist on the Farner's goal. For Conley, the assist is his first of the season, while John collects Ortiz recorded his six saves in the game, including stopping a penalty kick late in the second half.
- Liberty wins its first-ever OVC Tournament game. The Flames had previously fallen in OVC Quarterfinal games in 2023 and 2024.
- The match was played in temperatures under 40 degrees throughout the contest.
Next Up
Liberty will face the No. 2 seed Houston Christian Huskies in the second semifinal game at the OVC Men's Soccer Championship on Wednesday evening at Hunter Stadium. Match time is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST.
Team Stats
EIU
LIB
Goals
0
1
Shots
10
12
Shots on Goal
1
7
Saves
6
1
Corners
3
6
Fouls
13
15
Scoring Plays
Sam Farner (5)
Assisted By: Elijah John , Ty Conley
GOAL by LIB Farner, Sam Assist by John, Elijah and Conley, Ty.
18:50
Game Leaders
fwd
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
fwd
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
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Men's Soccer Update w/ HC Kelly Findley
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Liberty Men's Soccer Defeats Lindenwood
Monday, October 13