Liberty opened the Scott Wells era with a win in his first match as head coach at Liberty, defeating San Diego State, 2-1, this past Thursday in California. After a scoreless first half, Samson Kpardeh and Pablo Matavele netted goals 3:51 apart early in the second half, and Liberty then used a solid defensive effort to secure the victory. The Flames doubled San Diego State in shots, 14-7 and held a 6-5 edge in shots on goal. Kpardeh scored eight goals last season at Gardner Webb before following Coach Wells to Liberty. Matavele is a freshman.

Taking on No. 18 San Diego on Sunday night, who was coming off a season opening win against No.1 and defending national champ Washington, the Flames struck for the match’s first goal in the 41st minute. Forward Samson Kpardeh split two San Diego defenders and buried a shot into the right corner to give the Flames a 1-0 advantage at halftime. However, the host Toereros regrouped during the intermission and tied the contest less than 10 minutes into the second half. San Diego then netted back-to-back goals less than two minutes apart shortly after the 60 minute mark to take the two goal lead and eventually win, 3-1.

Coach Wells and the Flames have their home opener on Friday night at Osborne Stadium against FGCU at 6 p.m.

An update on the rest of Liberty’s fall sports from around campus:

WOMEN’S SOCCER (2-1-1, 0-0 CUSA)

The Liberty women’s soccer team started the 2026 earlier this month and has already completed four games. The season opened at home on August 13 against East Carolina where the Lady Flames netted a 2-0 shutout. Liberty got on the board in the third minute of the contest when Haley Noblit found the back of the net. The Flames then added an insurance goal from midfielder Avenley Monteith midway through the second half.

On Sunday, August 16, the Lady Flames fell short, 2-0, at No. 11 Virginia. The team battled through a 90-minute weather delay but was unable to get past the Cavaliers. Virginia scored int he 18th minute, capitalizing after controlling possession throughout the majority of the opening minutes. The weather delay came 15 minutes into the second half. Virginia added a goal in the 73rd minute for the 2-0 advantage. Liberty was outshot, 14-8. The Flames are now 0-18 all-time against Virginia.

This past Thursday, the Lady Flames bounced back to earn a 2-2 draw at Virginia Tech. Liberty drew first blood in the first 10 minutes off a corner opportunity. Isabella Wedemeyer got the ball into the top of the net. The Hokies evened the contest in the 33rd minute before Liberty retook the lead in the waning minutes of the first half. Liberty outshot Virginia Tech, 16-13. The Flames are now 1-0-2 in their last three contests against Virginia Tech.

Halle Engle’s first goal of the season was all the Lady Flames needed to pick up the 1-0 win at VCU on Sunday. Liberty recorded 13 corners while shutting out the Rams in the category. The Lady Flames also held a 21-4 advantage in shots with five on goal.

The Lady Flames continue their busy early season with two games this week, beginning on Thursday at Pitt at 7 p.m. on ACC Network Extra. On Sunday, Liberty hosts Charlotte at Osborne Stadium at 1 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL

The Flames, who have been predicted to finish 2nd in the CUSA Preseason Volleyball Poll, will begin the new season under second year head coach Jeremy White this week. Liberty heads to Johnson City, Tennessee for the ETSU Tournament and will open the season Friday against Auburn at 10 a.m.. The Lady Flames also face Akron (Saturday at 10 a.m.) and host ETSU (Saturday at 4 p.m.) as part of the opening weekend.

FIELD HOCKEY

The Lady Flames will open the season this weekend on the road against in Orono, Maine against a pair of opponents. The season opener is on Friday against Maine before squaring up against UMass on Saturday.

CROSS COUNTRY

The cross country team begins competition on Friday, September 4 in the Eye Opener in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

*photo courtesy Liberty Flames Athletics