Box Score

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Rams' Benjy Slator tallied a man-down goal in the 63^rd minute to cut BC's deficit to 2-1, but Liberty held off any further charge from the shorthanded visitors as Bluefield dropped its 2014 season opener to the Flames at Osborne Stadium.
 
The Rams (0-1) played the final 42 minutes a man down, as defender Nick Rivadeneira took away a goal scoring opportunity and was given a red card for the foul early in the second half.
 
Bluefield and Liberty (1-0) stood knotted 0-0 through the opening 45 minutes, despite the hosts holding a 14-2 edge in shots. While the Flames owned the large shot advantage, only four attempts were on target, with Bluefield keeper Jefferson Watson denying each effort—a couple on diving saves where he also quickly corralled the rebound.
 
Jacob Mader put a shot on frame in the first half, but it was easily gathered by the Flames' keeper Scott Sutarik.
 
Liberty found the scoreboard early in the second half, as a result of the Rivadeneira foul in the 48^th minute. Khalil Karl found the upper right 90 on the free kick, which came just outside the box and gave the hosts the 1-0 lead.
 
Liberty capitalized on the man advantage just 10 minutes later, as Alan Arellano served a ball into the box and Jovanni Chavez converted the goal in the 58^th minute for the 2-0 lead.
 
The Rams faced a tall task being down 2-0 and playing the Flames a man down, but elevated their intensity and effort for the challenge.
 
Shortly after subbing into the game, Erik Albarran collected a clearing attempt moving toward the Flames' goal. After a couple of quick touches down the right half of the field, Albarran slid a pass into the box to Slator, who calmly gathered the pass and slipped it to the far corner of the goal past Sutarik to cut the deficit to 2-1.
 
The Flames continued to fire shots on the Bluefield defense, but many were from long range and sailed well off-target. Liberty had 14 shots once again in the second half, with six being on target. Watson once again made a couple of quality saves to keep the Rams within striking distance of the Rams.
 
Michael Callaghan took a shot in the 75^th minute, but it sailed high to keep the Flames' advantage at one. Dean Johnson had the Rams' final scoring opportunity in the 87^th minute, but Sutarik was well positioned for the shot and made the save.
 
"I'm really proud of our team to fight back in tonight's match," stated Chase Neidig following his first contest as head coach. "To go down a man and having a two-goal deficit, but still keep fighting was incredible to see. This bunch is resilient and our entire team saw tonight what that looked like. We could've buried our heads and gave in, but we put Liberty on their heels in the second half and made it a game."
 
Liberty held a 28-6 shot advantage on the evening, having 10 shots on target to BC's four. Liberty also held the advantage in corners, having three to Bluefield's one—with all four corners coming in the first half.
 
The Rams return to action next Friday, as they travel to Emory and Henry for a 5 p.m. meeting with the Wasps.