Liberty Downs American in Two Overtimes, 2-1

September 9, 2011

Forward Darren Amoo’s goal in the second overtime propelled the Liberty Flames past the American Eagles, 2-1, in a nonconference contest at Reeves Field. Senior defender Chris Phillips also scored his first goal of the season in the victory.

Liberty moves to 2-1 on the season and beats American in its first ever visit to Reeves Field. American drops to 1-3-1.

With the contest knotted at 1-1 in the 108th minute, Amoo netted his third goal of the season, giving the Flames the win. Senior midfielder Phillip Aseweh pounced on a clearing attempt to keep the ball in the offensive zone and dropped a pass to senior forward Timothy Bullock. The senior sent a crossing pass in front of the goal for Amoo, who fired a left-footed shot into the right-hand corner of the net for the game winner at 107:55.

Liberty carried play in the first half, outshooting American, 11-2, but could not stake itself to an advantage.
Eagle goalkeeper Matt Makowski made seven saves in the period, keeping the Flames off the scoreboard.

After attempts by Amoo and midfielder Travis Joseph were turned away by Makowski during the opening six minutes, Liberty may have had its best scoring opportunity of the half in the 20th minute. With Makowski caught out of his net, a shot by Aseweh was swept off the goal line by an American defender to keep the game scoreless.

Shots by midfielder Juan F. Nino and Aseweh in the 30 and 32 minutes also forced stops by Makowski. A stop by the Eagle keeper on midfielder Junior Amaya sent the contest to halftime at 0-0.

American opened the second half with its third shot of the game in the 49th minute. Defender Tyler Collins fired an attempt which Liberty goalkeeper Josh Pacella corralled for his first save of the game.

In the 63rd minute, the two teams exchanged shot attempts. Eagle midfielder Colin Seigfreid’s shot was turned aside by Pacella, while an attempt by Liberty forward Kyle Breitmeyer was saved by Makowski.

American took a short-lived lead in the 69th minute. Midfielder Ryan Morales lofted a pass into the left corner of the attack zone for fellow midfielder Chris Kurmoto, who had entered the contest in the 57th minute. Kurmoto launched a crossing pass across the front of the Liberty net, which Mark Wysocki headed in for a 1-0 Eagle lead and his first goal of the year.

Less than six minutes later, the Flames found the equalizer. Defender Urian Bentick sent a crossing pass into traffic in front of the American goal. Defender Chris Phillips, who was crashing the net from the opposite side, headed the ball into the far left corner, tying the game at 74:36. It was the senior’s first goal of the year and sent the contest to an extra session.

In the first overtime period, Amoo got off the only shot for either team, heading a shot wide in the 91st minute.

Host American got off a shot attempt four minutes in the second 10-minute overtime period. Wysocki fired a shot wide.

In the 105th minute, Amoo got his first chance of the period, firing wide. However, moments later, the Liberty marksman did not miss when given a second chance, scoring the golden goal in the 108th minute for his third goal of the year and a 2-1 victory.

Liberty outshot American, 25-9, and held the edge in corner kicks, 7-5.

Pacella made two saves for the Flames, while Makowski recorded 10 saves.

Amoo’s game-winner was the 33rd goal of his Liberty career, moving the forward into third place by himself on the program’s all-time goal list.

The Flames continue on the road, when they visit the No. 12 Virginia, Tuesday. Match time at Klochner Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m.