ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Liberty scored a goal in each half as the Flames recorded a 2-0 Big South Conference men's soccer victory at Greenwood Field Thursday afternoon.
The Flames improved their record to 8-3-2 overall and 3-1 in the Big South Conference. The Bulldogs fell to 2-10-1 and 0-5-0 in the Big South Conference
It was another frustrating loss for Asheville. The Bulldogs controlled play in the first half and out-shot Liberty, 7-3 but could not score.
In the second half, the Flames had the better of play as they out-shot Asheville, 9-1. However, the Bulldogs nearly tied the match with 10 minutes left as junior Nathan Neal hit a shot from eight yards out off a corner kick that was just knocked away by Liberty goalkeeper Paul Gilbert.
“We've got to put the ball into the back of the net,” stated UNC Asheville coach Steve Cornish. “We played well against an excellent team in Liberty but we're tired of coming close. Our lads need to figure out a way to get a result.”
Liberty opened the scoring in the first half in the 26th minute when Adrian Bumbut struck a shot from 10 yards out. The ball hit the top of the cross bar and bounced into the back of the net for a 1-0 Flames lead. Chris Mandell was awarded an assist on the play.
Liberty was able to seal the victory at the 87:33 mark when Justin Willoughby scored his first goal of the year off a pass from Juan Guzman.
UNC Asheville plays next at Winthrop on Oct. 31 starting at 7 p.m. Liberty plays at national power Virginia on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
