Sunday, August 24
Lynchburg, Va.
5:00 PM ET
Liberty University
2-0-0, 0-0-0
3
vs
1
USC Upstate
0-1-1, 0-0-0
1
2
F
USC Upstate
0
1
1
Liberty
3
0
3
Liberty Rolls Past USC Upstate 3-1
8/24/2025 9:16:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LYNCHBURG, VA. – Three first-half goals propelled the Liberty Flames past the USC Upstate Spartans 3-1, Sunday evening at Osborne Stadium.
Defender Lucas Kelly scored the Flames' first two goals, and Kai Tamashiro netted his first goal of the season right before halftime to give Liberty a 3-0 lead after one half of play.
In the second, the Flames' defense held the Spartans' attack in check until late to come away with the victory.
Liberty moves to 2-0 on the season. USC Upstate drops to 0-1-1.
Scoring Summary
8' – LIBERTY – Lucas Kelly (Unassisted)
19' – LIBERTY – Lucas Kelly (Assisted by Aidan Morrison)
45' – LIBERTY – Kai Tamashiro (Assisted by Leo Conneh)
82' - UPSTATE – Josh Zawlocki (Assisted by Vitalis Takawira Jr.)
Key Stats & Notes
Next Up
Liberty takes to the road for the first time this season. The Flames will travel to Radford, Va., for a contest against the Radford Highlanders on Thursday. Kickoff at Patrick D. Cupp Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Defender Lucas Kelly scored the Flames' first two goals, and Kai Tamashiro netted his first goal of the season right before halftime to give Liberty a 3-0 lead after one half of play.
In the second, the Flames' defense held the Spartans' attack in check until late to come away with the victory.
Liberty moves to 2-0 on the season. USC Upstate drops to 0-1-1.
Scoring Summary
8' – LIBERTY – Lucas Kelly (Unassisted)
19' – LIBERTY – Lucas Kelly (Assisted by Aidan Morrison)
45' – LIBERTY – Kai Tamashiro (Assisted by Leo Conneh)
82' - UPSTATE – Josh Zawlocki (Assisted by Vitalis Takawira Jr.)
Key Stats & Notes
- Liberty outshot USC Upstate, 17-6. The Flames held a 13-2 shot advantage in the first half.
- Liberty put six shots on goal in the contest, while USC Upstate put four on net.
- The Spartans held a 9-3 advantage over the Flames on corner kicks.
- Kelly tallies the first two-goal game of his career. After entering the year with one career goal in two seasons, the junior has already scored three goals in 2025.
- Tamashiro's goal was his first collegiate goal.
- Midfielder Aidan Morrison drew an assist on Kelly's second goal, while forward Leo Conneh had an assist on Tamashiro's goal.
- Liberty goalkeeper Tyler Beck made three saves over the 90 minutes of play. USC Upstate goalkeeper Jarrett Wuerslin recorded three saves in the match.
- Liberty and USC Upstate have met each of the last three seasons, with the Flames winning all three contests.
Next Up
Liberty takes to the road for the first time this season. The Flames will travel to Radford, Va., for a contest against the Radford Highlanders on Thursday. Kickoff at Patrick D. Cupp Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Team Stats
UPST
LIB
Goals
1
3
Shots
6
17
Shots on Goal
4
6
Saves
3
3
Corners
9
3
Fouls
8
8
Scoring Plays
Lucas Kelly (3)
Picked up loose ball just outside box - shot from top left
07:19
Lucas Kelly (3)
Assisted By: Aidan Morrison
Free kick right side at end line just outside box - sent across for shot in front - 6 yds.
18:16
Kai Tamashiro (1)
Assisted By: Leo Conneh
Shot deflected to middle for shot at top of box
44:05
Josh Zawlocki (1)
Assisted By: Vitalis Takawira Jr
Off corner from right side - dropped into center of box for shot
81:01
Game Leaders
def
Shots
3
SOG
3
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
GK
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