LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Gardner-Webb men's soccer team faced Liberty University in a road showdown under the lights at Osborne Stadium on Tuesday night. The Flames topped the 'Dogs with a final score of 2-1 to take the win.
 
"I'm proud of the effort that our guys played with tonight," said head coach Tony Setzer. "I have to give Liberty a lot of credit, they are a tough opponent to play against. Ryan Madondo really stepped up for us tonight with his goal towards the end of the match, but we have to do a better and more consistent job of attacking the ball early in the game."
 
Liberty scored the first two goals of the match, Marko Mitrevski found the net off of a penalty kick in the 36^th minute, and Michael Catznzarite scored just four minutes later, giving the Flames a 2-0 advantage.
 
In the 83^rd minute, Ryan Madondo was able to find the net for the Red and Black to make it a 2-1 game, but it was not enough before the match ended in regulation time.
 
Liberty paced the matchup in shots with 17, Gardner-Webb took half as many.
 
Both teams committed a combined 14 fouls throughout the course of the game, splitting them evenly.
 
Goalkeeper Mallel Rios spent the entirety of the match between the posts for the 'Dogs, accounting for seven saves and just two goals against.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs will be back in action at Greene-Harbison Stadium on Saturday, September 18^th as they host the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The match is set to start at 4:00 pm.
 
For the latest on Gardner-Webb Men's Soccer, follow @GWUsoccer on social media or visit gwusports.com.