LYNCHBURG, VA— A goal by Pavel Concura in the 87th minute gave Liberty a 1-0 victory over Winthrop, ending a seven-game unbeaten streak.
It was a case of Concura being in the right place at the right time. A crossed ball was flicked on by Matt Morris, back to Concura’s head and into the net.
The Eagles had several chances to get on the board, but either goalkeeper K.J. Sabotchick, a Flames defender or the post was there to keep the ball out of the net.
Early in the match Kevin Green nearly put the Eagles up after his header was deflected by Sabotchick and then cleared off the line just in time before Donald MacGregor, charging in, had a chance to finish it off. Vali Arnason had a good chance in the first half, but his shot was deflected out of bounds by Sabotchick. Arnason also hit the post moments later.
Lloyd Afriyie had two shots in the post. The first one came when he broke through with a one-on-one with the keeper after a through ball and his first touch was by Sabotchick, but hit the right corner post and stayed out of the goal. Near the end of the first half he fired a half-volley off the upper right corner post.
The best chance in the second half for the Eagles came a few minutes before Liberty’s goal when a shot was cleared off the line and over the goal by Osei Telesford.
Sabotchick finished the match with eight saves and Winthrop’s Steve Winton finished with four.
The loss was the 13th straight to the Liberty Flames and this was the seventh loss decided by one goal.
Winthrop will be on the road Wednesday when it takes on High Point at 7 p.m.
