On a rainy Saturday evening at Osborne Stadium, the Liberty Flames and the Stetson Hatters played to a 2-2 tie in an ASUN Conference match.
After the Hatters took a 1-0 advantage in the first half, the Flames scored two unanswered goals in the second for a 2-1 lead. Pressing their attack late, Stetson found the equalizer on a penalty kick after a foul in the 18-yard box during the 86th minute for the final score of 2-2.
Liberty forward Luke Eberle, the Flames’ leading scorer, netted the home team’s first goal of the contest and Gabe Findley gave Liberty a 2-1 lead late in the second half.
The Flames advance to 1-2-1 in the ASUN and 2-3-3 overall. The Hatters move to 2-1-1 in conference and 3-3-4 overall.
Scoring Summary
33’ – STET – Alessandro Gabbani (Unassisted)
48’ – LIBERTY – Luke Eberle (Assisted by Brandt Betts and Seth Clark)|
84’ – LIBERTY – Gabe Findley (Assisted by Marko Mitrevski)
86’ – STET – Gio Rodriguez (Penalty Kick)
Turning Point
After having his shot attempt stopped by Stetson goalkeeper Owen Jack during the 81st minute, Findley made his next shot count, breaking a 1-1 tie during the 84th minute. Midfielder Marko Mitrevski found the forward alone above the 18-yard box with a long pass from midfield. Findley collected the ball and moved forward alone in space. Moving just above the pack and one-on-one with Jack, he ripped a shot into the lower right of the goal to give the Flames a 2-1 advantage.
Less than three minutes, Stetson tied the contest. Pressuring the Liberty goal, the Hatters received a penalty kick after a foul in the box. Rodriguez converted the ensuing kick for what proved to be the final score of 2-2.
Key Stats & Notes
- Liberty is now 2-1-2 at home in 2022. The Flames have outscored their opponents, 7-4, at Osborne Stadium.
- The Flames have tied four matches in 2022, the second most in program history. The last time the Flames tied four or more contests in a season was 1982. That year, Liberty set the school record with six.
- Liberty outshot Stetson in the contest, 16-8. The Flames had 10 shots on goal, while the Hatters placed five on goal.
- The Flames held an 8-7 edge on corners.
- Eberle’s goal was his fifth of the season. The forward leads Liberty and is second in the ASUN Conference in goals and points with 11.
- Findley scores his first goal of the year.
- Mitrevski records his fourth assist of 2022. He leads the Flames and is tied for third in the ASUN in assists.
- Liberty goalkeeper Blake Franzen recorded two saves. Jack made six for Stetson. The Flames had one team save, while Hatters made two team saves.
- Liberty wore pink jerseys as part of its “Kick Cancer” Night.