Liberty Falls to Wofford
LYNCHBURG, VA. – The visiting Wofford Terriers scored two early goals, en route to a 3-0 victory over the Liberty Flames, Saturday afternoon at the Campus East Fields.
Liberty outshot Wofford, 16-9, in the contest, but the Terriers defense was able to hold the Flames at bay throughout the match.
Liberty drops to 2-6 on the year. Wofford moves to 6-4.
The Terriers took an early advantage, scoring with only 4:20 gone in the opening half. Connor Davis scored his first goal of the season by heading in a long throw into the 18-yard box by Billy Padula for a 1-0 lead.
A 1:54 later, Padula and Davis combined again. Davis found the left corner of the Liberty goal with a header off a long thrown in by Padula for a quick, 2-0 advantage.
In the seventh minute, a shot by Flames midfielder Johnny Torres from the top left corner of the box forced a save by Terrier goalkeeper Andrew Drennan.
Liberty midfielder Rafael Amaya forced another save by Drennan during the 22nd minute. Moving into open space on the left side of the field, the senior ripped an attempt towards the net, compelling Drennan to make another stop.
The Flames continued pressure the Wofford defense. In the 36th minute, defender Sam Duininck came free at the top right corner of the penalty area for a shot, which Drennan corralled. Later, a header off a crossing pass by Liberty’s Clyde Glastetter was stopped by Drennan during the 42nd minute.
The half closed on a header wide of the goal by Wofford’s Alex Hutchins.
In the half, Liberty held an 11-5 advantage in shots and a 4-0 edge in corner kicks.
The second half opened with Flames goalkeeper Scott Sutarik making back-to-back saves on shots by Wofford’s Davis and midfielder Dennis Moore during the 56th minute.
Two minutes later in transition, Liberty forward Tyler Bullock pushed a shot wide past the far left post from 20 yards out.
After a foul by the Flames in the 18-yard box, the Terriers’ Hutchins netted the ensuing penalty kick for a 3-0 lead at 62:20.
During the 73 minute, Liberty defender Greg White forced a diving stop by Drennan. White headed a free kick into the box towards the far left post, only to see the Terrier goalkeeper get his hands on it and make the save.
In the 85th minute, Flames forward Travis Joseph came close to getting Liberty on the scoreboard. However, his shot attempt hit the crossbar and bounced out, as Wofford went on for the 3-0 win.
Besides holding the advantage in shots, the Flames also had a 5-2 edge in corner kicks in the contest.
Sutarik recorded four saves, playing the entire contest in net for Liberty. Drennan made six stops for the Terriers.
Next Friday, Liberty returns to Big South Conference play by hosting the Campbell Camels at the Campus East Fields. The game will be part of Liberty University’s Homecoming Weekend Festivities. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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