LEXINGTON, Va.- Freshman Kyle Cupid's goal in the 89th minute gave Liberty a 3-2 win over VMI Wednesday afternoon in Big South men's soccer action at Patchin Field.

Cupid's second goal of the day came just 45 seconds after VMI junior Parker Thurman netted his second goal of the season, tying the contest with two minutes to go.

"It was a very disappointing result, to battle back and get the equalizer as late as we did, then to have a mental lapse and let them get back behind us," said VMI head coach Stephen Ross. "We were pressing and trying to make something happen. There for a minute, I thought we were going to win it with one minute left. The guys let it all hang out, but we didn't transition, we didn't get back on one or two situations. There's a lot of heart in this team and we're going to find out what they're made of by how we respond to this."

Sophomore forward Charles Nweke got the scoring started in the 17th minute, scoring his sixth goal of the season and giving the Keydets (3-4-1, 0-1-1 Big South) a 1-0 lead on an assist from Rory Page. The Flames (5-4-1, 2-1-0 Big South) answered back with a pair of goals in the 28th and 32nd minutes, as Cupid assisted on a goal by Darryl Roberts, then scored his third of the season off of a rebound on a blocked shot.

The Flames took a 2-1 lead into halftime, then saw each team miss out on opportunities in the second half. In the 78th minute, Liberty's Toby Lewis hit the post of the goal with a blast from the left side that would have given the Flames a two-goal advantage. In the 79th minute, Nweke was awarded a penalty kick after being fouled in the box. However, Liberty keeper Kevin Mahan made his second save of the contest, stopping Nweke's shot, then controlling the rebound to keep the Flames in the lead.

Thurman then found the back of the net after a header off of a corner kick hit the post and ricocheted to him. The Keydets could not stop Cupid, though, as he converted the game-winner.

Mahan finished the contest with three saves, while VMI keeper Thomas Upton made two saves in the game.

VMI again outshot their opponents, this time by a 16-14 margin, as well as leading in fouls (19-16) and corner kicks (7-4). Each team was whistled for one offsides call.

VMI returns to action Thursday afternoon, when they host Bluefield College in a make-up game from earlier this season. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Patchin Field.