Men?s Soccer Picked Ninth in 2010 Big South Preseason Poll

Men's Soccer VMIKeydets.com

Keydets Fall to Flames, 2-0

Box Score LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Liberty Flames extended their home unbeaten streak to nine games as they bested the VMI men's soccer team 2-0 in a Big South contest Monday night at Osborne Stadium in Lynchburg, Va.

Leading 1-0 at halftime, the Flames added an insurance goal 15 minutes into the second half, when Juan Nino fired a pass through the box to Philip Aseweh, who found the back of the net to account for the final margin. Liberty won despite eight second half saves from Brian Sowell, who had nine total stops on the day as he faced 26 Liberty shot attempts, 11 of which were on goal.

With the win, Liberty moves to 9-3-3 overall and 3-1-2 in the Big South. VMI falls to 2-13-1 overall and 1-6 in conference action.

Liberty opened the game with the first four shot attempts, spread over 12:54 on the clock. None were on goal however, and the Keydets came right back with a pair of shots, including an Amir Shihata attempt at 15:04 that forced a save by Liberty keeper Andrew Madero. Four minutes later, the Flames put their first shot on goal, as Chris Mandell was stopped by Sowell at 19:58.

In the 23rd minute, Aseweh found forward Darren Amoo with a crossing pass to the left side of the box. Amoo then beat Sowell with a shot to the upper portions of the net, putting the Flames up 1-0 at 22:20 of the opening half.

Despite a flurry of substitutions, almost 20 minutes went by before the next shot was taken. Liberty missed the net with a pair of shots in the final three minutes, ensuring the game would go to halftime with VMI trailing 1-0. The Flames outshot the Keydets 9-2 in the opening half, and held a 3-0 edge in corner kicks.

For the second straight half, the home team came out with the first four shots. However, only one was on net, with Sowell stopping Juan Nino at 46:54 to keep the margin at 1-0, Liberty. Sonny Landry took the Keydets' first shot of the half at 56:12, but the Flames came right back forcing Sowell to stop Juan Guzman early in the 59th minute. Moments later, Nino found Aseweh in the box for the insurance goal.

Sowell was spectacular the rest of the way, stopping six shots over the final 30 minutes, but VMI could not mount a final offensive charge, leaving the final margin at 2-0, Flames.

For the game, Liberty outshot VMI 26-8 and the Flames held a 6-0 edge in corner kicks. Sowell made nine saves for the Keydets in helping keep the game close, while Madero made a pair of saves for Liberty.

VMI men's soccer will return to action Saturday, as the Keydets continue their road swing by traveling to Clinton, S.C. to take on Presbyterian College. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
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Players Mentioned

Sonny Landry

#19 Sonny Landry

D
5' 8"
Junior
Amir Shihata

#10 Amir Shihata

M
5' 9"
Sophomore
Brian Sowell

#0 Brian Sowell

GK
6' 3"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Sonny Landry

#19 Sonny Landry

5' 8"
Junior
D
Amir Shihata

#10 Amir Shihata

5' 9"
Sophomore
M
Brian Sowell

#0 Brian Sowell

6' 3"
Junior
GK