Spartanburg, S.C. – Defender Shalom Dutey’s first collegiate goal during the 68^th minute propelled the visiting Liberty Flames past the USC Upstate Spartans, 1-0, Tuesday afternoon at County University Stadium.

      Off a rebound of a shot by freshman forward Chase Hovious, Dutey, a freshman, scored the lone goal of the contest at 67:30. Hovious fired a shot which Spartans’ goalkeeper Davis Smith batted away, but could not control. Dutey pounced on the loose ball inside the goal box and put it into the empty net for what proved to be the final score of 1-0. The Flames defense then held tight the rest of the way to record their second shutout of the year.

      Liberty goalkeeper James Knoebel, who has played every minute between the posts for the Flames in 2016, collects his second shutout of the season, making five saves.

      Liberty moves to 3-1 overall and 2-0 on the road. USC Upstate drops to 1-1. The contest was the first time the two teams have ever met in Spartanburg.

      Upstate, which had not played since Aug. 29, got out to a fast start, forcing Knoebel to make saves on back-to-back possessions early in the contest. The freshman keeper stopped a shot by midfielder Cam Philpot during the eighth minute and two minutes later, turned away an attempt by defender Timm Morten.

      During the 10^th minute, a foul in the 18-yard box by the Spartans gave the Flames a penalty kick. However, Smith made a diving stop of Tresor Mbuyu’s kick to keep the match scoreless.

      Just as the home team started the first half on the attack, Liberty pushed the attack in the opening minutes of the second. A shot by forward Martin Agredo during the 53^rd minute forced a save by Smith.

      After Dutey gave the Flames a 1-0 lead during the 68^th minute, the Liberty defense led by Knoebel made the score stand. Knoebel stopped a shot during the 82^nd minute and the 89^th minute, helping the Flames capture the 1-0 victory.

      USC Upstate held an 11-10 edge in shots and a 7-5 advantage in corner kick in the match. Shots on goal were even at 5-5.

      Smith made four saves for the Spartans. Liberty’s Hovious recorded his first assist and point in a Flames’ uniform.

      Liberty returns home to a non-conference match at Osborne Stadium, Sunday. The Flames will host Buffalo in the first-ever meeting between the two teams on the pitch. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

      The contest is the first of two matches at Osborne on Sunday. Later in the day, the Liberty women’s soccer team will host George Washington. Match time is slated for 4 p.m.

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