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Box Score

Chris Osborne scored a goal in Liberty win, Saturday

The Liberty Flames raced out to a 2-0 lead in the first half and never looked back, handing the Winthrop Eagles their first loss in Big South Conference play, 3-0, Saturday afternoon at Osborne Stadium.

With the win, Liberty moves to 2-1-2 in the Big South and 8-3-3 overall. Winthrop falls to 4-1-2 in conference and 10-4-2 overall. The victory was the ninth shutout of the season by Liberty.

The host Flames took 1-0 advantage in the 7th minute of play, scoring off a free kick. Midfielder Juan Guzman (Sr., Charlotte, N.C.) pushed the free kick towards the far post for defender Chris Mandell (R-Sr., Bowling Green, Va.), who headed the kick across the 18-yard box. Defender Greg White (R-Fr., Wellington, Nova Scotia) came free and pushed a shot into left corner of the net for his first goal of the season at 7:56.

Liberty added to its lead in the 27th minute. Defender Chris Osborne (Jr., Oxford, Md.) stepped in front of a clearing pass by the Eagle defense. After settling the ball, the junior moved past a defender into open space and launched a shot from 30 yards out over the head of Winthrop goalkeeper Enrique Miranda and into the top of half of the goal for his first goal of the year and a 2-0 Liberty edge.

In the second half, play between the two squads settled between the 18-yard boxes with neither team generating an attack.

Flames forward Darren Amoo closed out the contest in the 87th minute, with his 11th goal of the year. Defender Michael Ward (R-Sr., Seffner, Fla.) stepped in front of an Eagle clearing pass and popped the ball up towards the top of the penalty area. Amoo settled the ball and beat the Winthrop keeper for the final score of 3-0.

The Flames outshot the Eagles, 19-7, in the contest, and held the edge in corner kicks, 14-2.

Liberty goalkeeper Andrew Madero (Jr., Tampa, Fla.) did not record a save on the afternoon, while Winthrop’s Miranda made three saves.

Liberty completes its home schedule, Monday night, when it hosts the VMI Keydets in a Big South Conference match at 7 p.m. Before the contest, the five seniors on the Liberty roster will be recognized.