Flames win late
Wilson’s score in the 100th minute gives Flames the victory
Big Save — Senior goaltender Scott Sutarik elevates for one of his three saves, which led to his sixth shutout of the 2014 season. Photo credit: Leah Seavers
In its final regular-season match of the season Saturday, Nov. 8, it seemed as if the Liberty men’s soccer team (11-5-1, 6-3 Big South) would head into the Big South Tournament with a tie against the visiting High Point Panthers (9-7-2, 6-2-1 Big South).
With 100 minutes of scoreless play in the books, Flames junior forward Sachem Wilson broke the tie and netted the game-winning goal, giving the Flames the 1-0 victory.
Wilson’s shot into the lower left corner of the net was assisted by junior defenseman/midfielder Glodi Konga and junior forward Tyler Bullock. Wilson’s seven goals are enough to lead the team this season.
After heading into the first overtime deadlocked at 0, Flames Head Coach Jeff Alder was confident his team could pull out the victory.
“Our mindset (before overtime) was to put them under pressure, under duress,” Alder said. “We felt there was a goal out there to find. … Both teams had chances, but I really felt that at the end of the game, we created some chances. So going into overtime, our mindset was go find a goal, go find a game winner and leave this home field with a great taste in everyone’s mouth.”
The Flames, fueled by tough defense through the entire game, held the Panthers to just seven shots in the match, with none coming in overtime.
Even though the Flames had already locked up the fifth seed in the Big South Conference Tournament, Alder was looking for momentum heading into their postseason matchup.
“You want to be peaking and playing well in November,” Alder said. “We had a couple tough losses in the middle (of the season), … but we found our legs, and we found ourselves again and kind of created a new identity down the stretch. Our mindset today was we were playing for a win today to propel us forward into the tournament.”
Wilson is confident in his team’s ability to take this momentum and be successful in the Big South Conference Tournament.
“In the postseason, it’s all defense,” Wilson said. “If we can fight and just want it more in both boxes than they do, … we can go pretty far.”
Bullock acknowledged the poise and hard work, the Flames will need to continue their five-game conference win streak.
“We need to make sure we are disciplined 100 percent of the game, because if we turn off for one second, it’s going to penalize us,” Bullock said.
As the Flames look forward to postseason play, Alder acknowledged the successes of his team through the regular season that will propel them in their upcoming tournament.
“(I’m) very proud of their ability to overcome adversity, because we have dealt with some tough setbacks,” Alder said. “The ups and downs of the season … present different challenges for you to grow hopefully in your faith in God … (and) in your faith in each other. I think through this, God has allowed us to grow and mature as a group. I loved the way we finished.”
The Flames will begin their run at the Big South Tournament title Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. against the fourth-seeded Winthrop Eagles in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
RODRIGUEZ is a sports reporter.