Flames burn Bison

Sachem Wilson’s two goals lead the way to a dominant home win

assisted— Junior Connor Flemming prepares to set up his teammate for a goal. Photo credit: Leah Seavers

Assisted— Junior Connor Flemming prepares to set up his teammate for a goal. Photo credit: Leah Seavers

The Liberty Flames men’s soccer team (5-2-1, 0-1 Big South) shut out the Howard University Bison (0-10-1) 4-0, Sept. 23 at Osborne Stadium.

The Flames began the game with aggressive attacks. They amassed two early corner kicks and multiple shot attempts, none of which were successful. However, the Bison defense was caught out of position when redshirt junior Jamie Foxwell sent a spot-on pass to midfielder Jovanni Chavez, who snuck the ball under the extended arm of Howard goalie Eric Hamilton, giving Liberty the one-goal lead. This was Chavez’s second goal of the season.

Liberty had one more opportunity to increase the lead in the first half when forward Tyler Bullock crossed it to forward Sachem Wilson, but Wilson’s shot just missed the inside of the crossbar, leaving Chavez’s goal as the only score of the first half.

While Liberty went into halftime with the lead, Head Coach Jeff Adler was not too pleased with his team’s performance.

GIVER — Freshman Bay Kurtz chipped in against Howard with an assist. Photo credit: Leah Seavers

GIVER — Freshman Bay Kurtz chipped in against Howard with an assist. Photo credit: Leah Seavers

“(In) the first half, there was still some residue from us losing to Davidson the other day because we fought so hard and unfortunately, we didn’t close that game out,” Adler said.

The Flames played a close game and fell to the No. 25 team in the nation, Davidson College, earlier that week. Winning that game could have potentially placed Liberty in the top 25, according to Wilson.

“I knew … that (this game) may be ugly for a while,” Adler said. “We started off and scored a great goal right away, and we got on top of the game, which is what we wanted, but then we just didn’t take care of the ball (for) the rest of the first half. … In the second, we got the guys refocused. I thought we came out with
great energy.”

Within two minutes of the second half, the Flames put another past Hamilton, increasing the lead to 2-0. This time, it was Wilson.

“It’s definitely a weight off the shoulders,” Wilson said. “As a goal scorer, you always want to score. I definitely credit (scoring) to the teammates. Every goal that’s scored is credited to everyone.”

The offensive resurgence for the Flames did not end there. Three minutes later, midfielder Khalil Karl sent a corner kick into the box. Foxwell maintained inside position on a defender, then elevated to head the ball into the back of the net. His second goal of the season gave Liberty the 3-0 lead.

Later in the half, a Howard defenseman fouled one of the Flames in the box, giving Liberty a penalty kick. Wilson lined up to take the shot. Without hesitation, he struck it past the goaltender for a fourth goal on the night for the Flames. With that goal, Wilson took his total to four goals in Liberty’s first seven games and became the current goal-scoring leader for the Flames this season. He has also amassed a conference-leading 29 shots for the season.

“Sachem had a big night tonight,” Adler said. “… I’m very proud of him. He created a real good chance on his own for his first goal. And his second goal, he stepped up with poise and took a great free kick.”

The Flames will travel to Radford, Virginia, for their next contest as they take on conference opponent, Radford University, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m.

HAYWOOD is the asst. sports editor

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