Saturday, October 3
Lynchburg, Va.
1:00 PM ET
Liberty University
4-4-2, 2-1-0
3
vs
0
Mercer
0-7-3, 0-2-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Liberty | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Strong Defensive Effort Propels Liberty to 3-0 Victory over Mercer
10/3/2026 4:19:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LYNCHBURG, VA. – For the second consecutive game, the Liberty Flames used a solid defensive effort to record a shutout in their 3-0 victory over the Mercer Bears in a SoCon contest on a rainy Saturday afternoon at Osborne Stadium.
The Flames held the Bears to five shot attempts in the match, allowing one on goal throughout the 90 minutes to register their second straight shutout.
Liberty broke a scoreless tie right before halftime as Lachlan Middleton deposited a crossing pass from Roope Salo for a 1-0 lead.
The Flames added two goals in the second half. Goncarlo Sousa and Manuel Vitorino each scored for the final score of 3-0.
With the victory, Liberty moves to 3-1 in SoCon and 4-4-2 overall on the year. Mercer falls to 0-2-1 in the SoCon and 0-7-3 overall.
Scoring Summary
45' – LIBERTY – Lachlan Middleton (Assisted by Roope Salo and Kyohei Eguchi)
67' – LIBERTY – Goncarlo Sousa (Assisted by Manuel Vitorino)
71' – LIBERTY – Manuel Vitorino (Assisted by Ronnie Gorman)
Key Stats & Notes
Next Up
Liberty travels to Johnson City, Tenn., for a SoCon match against the East Tennessee State Buccaneers next Saturday. Match time at Summers-Taylor Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m.
The Flames held the Bears to five shot attempts in the match, allowing one on goal throughout the 90 minutes to register their second straight shutout.
Liberty broke a scoreless tie right before halftime as Lachlan Middleton deposited a crossing pass from Roope Salo for a 1-0 lead.
The Flames added two goals in the second half. Goncarlo Sousa and Manuel Vitorino each scored for the final score of 3-0.
With the victory, Liberty moves to 3-1 in SoCon and 4-4-2 overall on the year. Mercer falls to 0-2-1 in the SoCon and 0-7-3 overall.
Scoring Summary
45' – LIBERTY – Lachlan Middleton (Assisted by Roope Salo and Kyohei Eguchi)
67' – LIBERTY – Goncarlo Sousa (Assisted by Manuel Vitorino)
71' – LIBERTY – Manuel Vitorino (Assisted by Ronnie Gorman)
Key Stats & Notes
- Liberty outshot Mercer, 25-5, in the match. The Flames led the Bears 13-1 in shots on goal.
- Liberty held an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks in the match.
- The Flames' 25 shots and 13 shots on goal were the most by Liberty this season.
- Liberty moves to 2-1 at home this season and has outscored their opponents, 6-3.
- The Flames have not allowed a goal over the last 221:38 of play. The last goal Liberty has allowed came at 48:22 in a 2-2 tie at James Madison on Sept. 22.
- Sousa netted his second goal of the season, while Middleton and Vitorino each scored their first goal of the season in the contest.
- Vitorino also assisted on Sousa's goal for a three-point contest.
- Salo, Kyhei Eguchi and Ronnie Gorman also had an assist in the match. Gorman leads the SoCon and the Flames with four assists this season.
- Liberty goalkeeper and reigning SoCon Defensive Player of the Week Dan Rose made one save in the match. Mercer goalkeeper Henry Hampshaw made 10 saves before Michael Roth took over in the Bears' goal with 5:32 left in the game.
- Before the match, Liberty honored senior defenders Finn Van Den Berg and Oscar Vellejo.
Next Up
Liberty travels to Johnson City, Tenn., for a SoCon match against the East Tennessee State Buccaneers next Saturday. Match time at Summers-Taylor Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's SoccerTeam Stats
BEARS
FLAMES
Goals
0
3
Shots
5
25
Shots on Goal
1
13
Saves
10
1
Corners
1
8
Fouls
11
15
Scoring Plays
Lachlan Middleton (1)
Assisted By: Roope Salo , Kyohei Eguchi
cross from left side of the box to far post for shot into top of net
44:34
Goncalo Sousa (2)
Assisted By: Manuel Vitorino
picked up lose ball in box sliding over for shot
66:03
Manuel Vitorino (1)
Assisted By: Ronnie Gorman
Sent from LU side of the field forward - shot lofted in
70:10
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
mid
Shots
5
SOG
3
Goals
0
Assists
1
Wednesday, September 30
Sunday, September 27
Tuesday, May 19
Sunday, October 26