Box Score Box Score
LYNCHBURG, VA – Casey Norris's goal in the 98th minute of play gave the Liberty Flames a 1-0 Big South Conference win over the Winthrop Eagles on Saturday evening at Osborne Stadium.
The Eagles drop their record to 1-8-1 on the season and 1-1 in the conference, while the Flames improve to 4-7-2 overall and 1-2 in conference play.
The goal by Norris was her first of the season, and came during the first overtime period. The game-winner was assisted by Bekah Moye as she put a through pass by the Winthrop defense to Norris, and she finished with a shot past Eagle goalie Kelsy Weavil and into the right corner of the net.
The first half was a scoreless affair as both teams had several opportunities to put points on the scoreboard, but could not capitalize heading into halftime.
Liberty came out in the opening half and immediately had several scoring chances starting in the second minute of a play on a shot by Maria Owen, but her shot was denied by Weavil. The Flames came back in the 10th minute with a header by Aimee Luurtsema, which was also saved by Weavil. Owen's rebound shot after the save hit the crossbar and was cleared by Winthrop.
The Eagles responded with two chances of their own over a three-minute stretch which started in the 25th minute when Courtney Durbin's shot hit the crossbar, and a shot in the 28th minute by Kylene Babauta was saved by Liberty goalkeeper Ashley Nyholt.
The Flames led Winthrop in shots during the first stanza 5-4 and 3-1 in shots on-goal. Liberty also attempted five corner kicks to three by the Eagles.
Babauta had a team-high two shots (one on-goal) in the first half, while Weavil had three saves. Owen posted three shots and two on-goal for the Flames and Nyholt grabbed one save.
Winthrop's offense opened the second half with back-to-back scoring opportunities in the first six minutes of play. Rachel Webster's shot was saved by Nyholt and Durbin's shot minutes later went wide of the net.
The first shot on-goal attempt for Liberty in the second half came in the 78th minute when a shot by Owen was grabbed by Weavil.
Both teams finished the contest with 11 shots each and five shots on-goal, while the Flames led in corner kicks 6-4.
Durbin led the Eagles offensively with four shots and tied with Babauta with two attempts on-net. Weavil finished the match with four saves.
Owen recorded a team-best six shots and three on-goal for Liberty, and Nyholt snagged five saves.
Winthrop will be back in action on Monday, Oct. 11 as it travels to High Point, NC to face the High Point Panthers at 7 p.m. The Flames will host Gardner-Webb on Oct. 11 at 4 p.m.
