Flames batter Rams
Two late goals in second half carry Liberty over Bluefield in season opener
Defense — Junior transfer defender Kyle Carr maneuvers out of pressure in the first half against Bluefield with Liberty goalkeeper Jeremy Lee
giving directions. Photo credit: Leah Seavers
Liberty men’s soccer team pulled out a 2-1 victory against the Bluefield Rams in their home opener on Friday August 28. The Flames took the lead in the second half with two goals in the span of 1:09 to solidify the win and earn a 1-0 start to the season.
UNDER PRESSURE — Sophomore midfielder Bay Kurtz shields ball at half-field. Photo credit: Leah Seavers
Liberty started the game with a few early chances to score, but not capitalizing resulted in the Rams taking the momentum in the 17th minute. Midfielder Florian Gleissner streaked down the left wing and took a shot from 25 yards out after not receiving any pressure from the Liberty backline. His shot arched its way up and over red shirt junior goalkeeper Jeremy Lee’s fingertips for an early goal to give the Rams the lead.
In the 37th minute, sophomore midfielder Alan Arellano received a pass and attempted to shoot over the opposing goalkeeper only to have it saved. The Flames only other opportunity in the half came from a corner kick in the 44th minute when freshman midfielder Nico Bellarde connected with the corner off his head but the Rams goalkeeper made the save.
As the second half began, the tempo of the game began to increase. As the fans started chanting and cheering, Liberty’s pressure grew stronger.
“Everyone was sharp, everyone was tuned in during the second half,” Head Coach Jeff Alder said.
The Flames’ renewed intensity resulted in outshooting the Rams, 10-2 in the second half. With the majority of the second half played on the attacking end of the field, the Flames had more opportunities to score.
Just seven minutes into the second half, Liberty senior midfielder Khalil Karl ripped a shot from outside of the box that hit the right post, resulting in one of the Flames seven corner kicks.
After many other unsuccessful attempts to score, Liberty finally found the back of the net in the 69th minute. Senior forward Blessing Tahuona gathered a pass from freshman forward Geovanny Murillo in the 18-yard box and drilled a shot into the net, tying the game at one goal apiece.
Just 69 seconds after their first goal, the Flames continued attacking Bluefield when red shirt sophomore midfielder Kurt Meyers received the ball on the right wing and raced past the defender.
Meyers crossed the ball into senior forward Tyler Bullock who nailed a shot into the upper right corner of the net, giving Liberty the 2-1 lead.
Meyers is not a starter for the Flames, but he has seen extensive play time after being sidelined much of last year with an injury.
The Rams were not able to mount any serious attack on the Flames as Liberty maintained the lead for the remainder of the half, dominating possession on the field until the final whistle.
The Flames credit their victory to their determination and composure despite being down 1-0 at the half.
“The second half we definitely came out knowing we needed to step it up a lot,” Bullock said. “So we just shook off the first half and came out a lot harder and we were more determined than the other team.”
Much of the composure displayed was a result from the senior leadership on the team. Liberty has the advantage of returning eight seniors, which have each provided both leadership and experience.
“We showed some great poise to come back and find two goals and I think a lot of that is because we have good senior leadership,” Alder said.
Almost a year ago exactly, Liberty battled Bluefield to the same 2-1 result.
Liberty will hit the road to Williamsburg, Virginia, for its next game Sept. 1 against William & Mary.
Britton is a sports reporter.