LEXINGTON, Va. ? The VMI men's soccer team fell 3-2 to the Liberty Flames in double overtime Tuesday afternoon in a Big South matchup played at Patchin Field.

With the teams tied 2-2 and under 30 seconds remaining in the contest, Liberty's Karol Chorak tipped a pass to Juan Guzman, who sent a quick dish to freshman Juan Nino in front of the net. The freshman flicked the ball over diving VMI goalkeeper Brian Sowell for the golden goal and the win.

Liberty took the early advantage in the seventh minute. Off a free kick, the Flames sent a pass into the box. The pass was headed to defender Mike Gelatt, who drilled a bicycle kick into the upper corner of the net to lift the visitors to a 1-0 lead at 6:04.

VMI responded at the 16:15 mark. The Liberty goalkeeper was whistled for a violation resulting in a penalty kick, and Keydet senior Jose Andueza converted the ensuing kick to knot the match at 1.

VMI's Sowell kept the match tied with a diving save in the 38^th minute, but Liberty took a 2-1 lead shortly thereafter. The Flames notched a goal off a rebound, but VMI fired back at the 43:35 mark. Jose Andueza drew a corner kick, and found Brian Harding at the top of the box. The sophomore midfielder outjumped a Liberty player and headed the ball into the net, equaling the game at 2 apiece. Harding's third goal of the season gave him the team lead, and helped the Keydets hold a 2-2 tie at halftime.

Liberty outshot the Keydets 8-3 in the first 45 minutes, and drew three corner kicks. VMI earned just a single corner kick, but converted it into the tying goal.

The visitors controlled the pace of the majority of the second half. The best scoring chance for either team came in the 64^th minute, when Liberty's Guzman attempted a shot from inside the box. VMI's Sowell made a diving save, but Liberty's Nino recovered the rebound. Nino sent a quick pass to Guzman, who attempted another shot, but Sowell was again up to the task and made his second save of the sequence.

Sowell made five saves in the second half to help keep the score tied, as the game headed to extra time tied at 2.

The majority of the first overtime was controlled in the midfield. VMI had a scoring chance late, but a Brian Harding shot was stopped by Liberty keeper Andrew Madero.

Neither team could muster a shot in the second overtime, until Liberty fired an attempt wide in the 109^th minute. Less than 60 seconds later, Nino put the ball past Sowell to give Liberty the 3-2 win.

With the loss, VMI drops to 2-13 and 1-6 in the Big South. Liberty's win moves the Flames to 9-5-1 overall, and 4-3 in conference play.

The VMI men's soccer team will return to action Saturday, as the Keydets host the Presbyterian Blue Hose at Patchin Field. Game time is set for 1 p.m., and the contest will be the program's Senior Day. VMI's four seniors will be honored prior to the contest.