Lexington, Va.  - Liberty midfielder Jovanni Chavez scored three goals and assisted on another, helping the Flames defeat the VMI Keydets, 5-2, Tuesday afternoon at Patchin Field.

      Chavez’s goals were his first of the season. With three markers and an assist, Chavez collected seven points in the contest, the most by a Flame since Darren Amoo scored eight points with four goals in a 7-0 Liberty victory over Southern Virginia on Oct. 22, 2010. In addition it is the first time since Sept. 20, 2011 that a Liberty player has scored three goals in a match, when Travis Joseph scored three markers in a win over 9-0 Southern Virginia.

      Midfielder Tresor Mbuyu and Pepe Segarra also scored for Liberty in its first road game of the season. Mbuyu scored for the second time this season, while Segarra, a transfer, netted his first goal as a Flame. Segarra also assisted on a goal for a three-point afternoon.

      Liberty moves to 2-0. VMI falls to 0-2.

      The visiting Flames opened the scoring by striking for the game’s first goal during the 10^th minute of play. Midfielder Geovany Murillo tipped a pass into the 18-yard box by forward Martin Agredo towards the far right post. There, Chavez pounced on the ball inside the goal box and blasted a shot into an open net for his first goal of the game and a 1-0 Liberty advantage.

      During the 20^th minute, an outstanding defensive play kept the Flames from adding to their lead. A pass into the box found Mbuyu in space. The midfielder fired a shot attempt towards the right post, only to see VMI defender David Wright make a diving kick to clear the ball away from the net and out of play.

      In the first half, the Flames held a 9-1 shot advantage over the Keydets.

      After one goal was scored in the first half, the second saw six goals scored. Chavez started the second-half scoring, extending Liberty’s lead in the opening minutes of the period. VMI goalkeeper Robert Allen mishandled a long pass from the right sideline into the box with Chavez in front of him. The loose ball came up to the Liberty midfielder, who tapped it into the open net to give the Flames a 2-0 lead at 49:47.

      Liberty then broke the contest open with two goals in a span of 2:54. Off a crossing pass from the left sideline from Segarra, Mbuyu netted the Flames’ third marker of the afternoon at 65:38. Segarra scored on a pass by Chavez to the left post at 68:32 for a 4-0 advantage.

      A hand ball in the 18-yard box by a Liberty defender gave VMI a penalty kick during the 80^th minute.  Keydets midfielder Sam Moffat scored the ensuing kick to make it 4-1, Flames.

      Chavez scored his third goal and Liberty’s final marker of the contest in the 87^th minute. A pass into the box by forward Rigoberto Rojas got behind the VMI keeper for Chavez, who scored into the open net for a 5-1 advantage.

      VMI added another penalty kick in the final minute of play for what proved to be the final score of 5-2.

      Liberty controlled play for the majority of the contest, outshooting VMI, 22-9. The Keydets held a 7-4 edge on corner kicks.

      James Knoebel made four saves over 90 minutes of play in the Liberty net. Allen recorded six saves in the contest.

      The Flames return home to Osborne Stadium for a match against the Tribe of William & Mary.  Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m., on Friday. The contest is the second of two matches on the day at Osborne. The Lady Flames will host Appalachian State at 4 p.m.

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