Midfielder Travis Joseph scored three goals and forward Timothy Bullock added two goals in Liberty's 9-0 victory over the Southern Virginia Knights, Tuesday night at Osborne Stadium.
Liberty recorded its third straight shutout and extended its winning streak to five games with the win, upping its record to 5-1 on the year. The Flames' nine goals were the most Liberty has scored in a single contest since a 10-1 win over Concord on Sept. 1, 2009 and the third most in program history. Southern Virginia falls to 3-3-1 on the season.
Liberty jumped on the scoreboard early during the seventh minute of play. Midfielder Alex Verville slid a pass from the right side of the 18-yard box for Bullock, who ripped a shot from in close off the Knight goalkeeper and into the top of the net for his third goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.
Less than two minutes later, a Southern Virginia foul in the penalty area resulted in a penalty kick for the Flames. Uriah Bentick, the Big South Defender of the Week, converted his attempt, upping the host's advantage to 2-0.
After four saves by Knight goalkeeper Robert Key, Liberty struck again during the 19th minute. Passes by midfielder Phillip Aseweh, the Big South Co-Big South Attacking Player of the Week, and defender Chris Phillips, quickly moved the ball into attacking position for defender Sam Duininck. The sophomore swept past two defenders into the right side of the 18-yard box and fired a shot into the far left side of the net for his first goal of his career.
In the 26th minute, Joseph scored his first goal of the contest to make it, 4-0 Flames. Brothers Juan J. Niño and Juan F. Niño assisted on the play.
Bullock found Joseph for his second marker in the 28th minute. The senior sent a crossing pass into the center of the penalty area for the junior, who tapped it into the open right side of the net.
In the 42nd minute, Bullock was on the end of a give-and-go passing sequence with Aseweh. The forward ended up alone in the center of the box and scored for the second time of the night, sending Liberty to intermission with a 6-0 edge.
After recording two assists in the first half, Aseweh netted his fourth goal of the season during the 50th minute of play. Joseph dropped a pass to the on-rushing midfielder, who put the ball into the back of the net from 25 yards out to up the Liberty advantage to 7-0.
Joseph recorded the first three-goal game of his career in the 66th minute, converting a penalty kick after being dragged down in the box by a Southern Virginia defender.
Verville ended the scoring on the evening, picking up a loose ball and beating a defender for his first goal of the year in the 77th minute for the final 9-0 margin.
The Flames outshot the Knights, 24-3, and held an 8-2 advantage on corner kicks.
Liberty goalkeeper Josh Pacella made one save in the first half. Sam Chappell made his college debut in the second half, manning the Flames' net. The redshirt freshman did not make a save. Liberty has not allowed a goal in 301:07.
Key recorded six saves while manning the Southern Virginia goal during the first 45 minutes. Ben May made two saves in the final 45 minutes as the Knight goalkeeper.
Not only did Joseph have his highest goal total of his career, but the junior also recorded his career-high with seven points. Before tonight's game, Joseph had posted three points twice in his college career, the most recent coming last season in a 2-1 victory over UNC Asheville.
Teammate Darren Amoo was the last Flame to record a hat trick in a game. Amoo set an Osborne Stadium mark with four goals in contest during Liberty's 7-0 over Southern Virginia on Oct. 22, 2010.
Bullock tied his career-high with five points on the evening. Previously, the senior recorded five points in Liberty's win over Concord in 2009.
With two assists, Aseweh continues to move up the Liberty career assist list. The senior moves into sixth place on the program's helper list with 18 assists.
Liberty closes out a stretch of three straight home games, Friday afternoon at Osborne Stadium. The Flames will host the Cedarville Yellow Jackets at 4 p.m. Before the contest, the players on the Liberty roster competing in their final season as a Flame will be recognized.