A Tight Contest at Osborne Stadium
Liberty University opened its 2026 home schedule at Osborne Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia, only to see the FGCU Eagles strike first in the 29th minute, heading into the break with a 1-0 lead.
The Eagles extended their advantage after the interval, adding two more goals to go up 3-0, but Liberty responded swiftly in the 80th minute, with Samson Kpardeh converting a penalty and then a free-kick two minutes later to cut the deficit to a single goal.
Kpardeh’s brace marked his first multiple-goal performance of the season and brought his tally for the campaign to four goals, while forward Pablo Matavele assisted on the second strike.
Brooks Beeman and Emerson LaOrden each added a goal, and Flavio D'Angelo opened his account for the season, rounding out the scoring for the Eagles.
Despite being outshot 13-7, the Flames faced eight shots on target from FGCU, with goalkeeper Dan Rose making one save and FGCU’s Marcelo Lacayo turning away six attempts.
The match attracted 1,023 spectators, leaving Liberty at 1-3 overall and the Eagles at 1-2, and the team will next travel to Statesboro, Georgia, for a Wednesday night showdown with the Georgia Southern Eagles at 7 p.m.