Liberty University
4-5, 0-1BSC
Winthrop
3-5, 1-0BSC
Liberty Falls to Winthrop in 2 OT, 2-1, to Open Conference Play
9/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
The visiting Winthrop Eagles scored in the second overtime for a 2-1 win over the Liberty Flames, Saturday afternoon at Osborne Stadium. The contest was the Big South Conference opener for both teams.
A goal by Eagles midfielder Magnus Thorsson off a free kick from 18 yards out at 106:42 gave the visitors the victory.
Liberty midfielder Kyle Carr netted his first goal of the season during the contest's third minute. Forward Kevin Mendoza assisted on the marker.
Flames goalkeeper Jermey Lee made a career-high 10 saves in the contest. Eagles goalkeeper Fabian Broich recorded three saves.
Winthrop outshot Liberty, 24-9. The Flames held a 6-4 edge in corner kicks. Rain fell throughout the entire contest.
Liberty drops to 0-1 in the Big South Conference and 4-5 overall. Winthrop moves to 1-0 in conference action and 3-5 overall.
The Flames jumped out to a 1-0 lead at 2:34. After a shot by Mendoza was blocked inside the 18-yard box, Carr picked up the loose ball and ripped a shot from the top of the box into the right corner of the net for a Liberty advantage.
The Eagles tied the contest during the 13th minute. Midfielder Marco Gatzke threaded a pass into the left side of the box for fellow midfielder Max Hasenstab. The midfielder hit the ball in stride, deflecting a shot off Lee and into the net for his third goal of the season and a 1-1 tie.
Despite several scoring opportunities for both teams, neither was able to score in the second half.
Lee made several strong stop during the half. In the 74th minute, the Flames goalkeeper went to the ground and smothered a shot from the left side of the box by forward Jordan Stoddart to prevent a Winthrop goal. Later in the 83rd minute, he knocked away a shot by Hasenstab from the wing to keep the match tied.
Winthrop also had another chance later in the 83rd minute, when a shot was blocked by a Flames defender. The ball bounded to forward Charles Coulson, who rushed a shot toward the open Liberty net. However, Flames midfielder Geovanny Murrillo was able to kick the ball away, preventing a score.
Meanwhile, a header by Liberty's Mendoza forced Broich, who was screened by a Winthrop defender, to dive out and make a stop to keep the score tied during the 79th minute.
Liberty also had a scoring chance during the 97th minute, when Bay Kurtz came free in front of the Eagle net. However, the forward's header went high.
Each team had a shot in the first overtime, before the Eagles found the winning marker in the second overtime. After a Liberty foul just above the right corner of the 18-yard box, Thorsson scored his first goal of the year, sneaking a shot into the lower, right corner of the goal for the 2-1 win.
Liberty will next host Radford, a week from today. Match time is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Team Stats
CARR, Kyle (1)
Assisted By: MENDOZA, Kevin
* Picked up loose on blocked shot, finis
2:34
HASENSTAB, Max (3)
Assisted By: GATZKE, Marco
Through pass to 18 on the wing, deflecte
12:14
THORSSON, Magnus (1)
* Free kick from 18 yards out, deflected
106:42
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