The Liberty University Men’s Soccer team ended its two-game losing streak in Saturday’s 6-1 win against the University of Southern Indiana.
Despite the pouring rain and the team missing defensemen, junior Lucas Kelly and senior Carlos Trott, the Flames executed a successful game plan from start.
The Flames came out aggressively with senior forward Zach Lifferth tapping in a pass from senior forward Sam Farner in front of the net for a goal to open the scoring just 6 minutes into the game. Liberty held that lead until the end as Lifferth went on to have a breakout game, scoring two more goals to give Liberty a 3-0 lead in the first half while also adding an assist in the second half.
“He (Lifferth) did everything we know he can do,” Head Coach Kelly Findley said. “… Everyone is going to look at the scoresheet and say, ‘Oh what a great game,’ but really he was good in all areas. He pressed well, he handled the ball well, combination play, assist. I thought he had a really complete game.”
Sophomore forward Dylan Swinehart also had a big night, scoring his first of two goals with a header off a pass from junior defender Perry Blay to give the Flames a 4-0 lead going into halftime. Sophomore goalkeeper Tyler Beck had a quiet first half, facing no shots from the Screaming Eagles as Liberty controlled the time of possession.
The second half did not see much change from Southern Indiana as Liberty expanded its lead to 5-0 with a goal from freshman forward Jayden Ramos, punching in the pass set up by Lifferth. The Screaming Eagles got on the board with a goal from freshman midfielder Tony Murphy; however, they were unable to build any momentum off the single score. A pass from Ramos set up Swinehart a final time for the last goal of the game, giving Liberty the 6-1 win over Southern Indiana.
“From the first minute to the last, I thought we were really steady and mature,” Findley said. “Handled the weather, handled the first league game, handled a rebound after a hard Wake Forest result. Just really impressed with the guys.”
After a loss to No. 17 University of North Carolina at Greensboro, followed by a 7-0 defeat against top-ranked Wake Forest, the Flames were ready to turn the page. Though the losses left a sour taste in the Flames’ mouths, this win solidifies a turning point as they continue their final season in the Ohio Valley Conference.
“I think we’re battle tested now,” Lifferth said. “We played two ranked opponents in a row, didn’t go our way, but we know what to expect for the rest of the season.”
The Flames look to continue this momentum as they return to Osborne Stadium to face another conference opponent, University of the Incarnate Word, Oct. 2 at 7:00 p.m.
Szepanski is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion.