HOUSTON, TEXAS — Liberty and Houston Christian canceled each other out Thursday night, finishing in a 0-0 draw in a defensive struggle that saw both teams create chances but neither able to find the back of the net. The Flames and Huskies combined for 18 shot attempts across 90 minutes of play, yet neither goalkeeper was seriously tested in what became a battle of attrition on the pitch.
Liberty dominated possession early, with Leo Conneh firing two attempts in the opening 20 minutes that failed to trouble Houston Christian's defense. The visitors earned a free kick in the 21st minute after Ben Thirkill drew a yellow card for unsporting conduct, and Aidan Morrison's subsequent shot sailed wide. Houston Christian responded with Ryan Okerayi testing Liberty's backline in the fifth minute, but the home side struggled to generate consistent attacking rhythm throughout the first half.
The first 45 minutes unfolded as a chess match between two teams unwilling to take unnecessary risks. Liberty pressed higher up the pitch at times, earning two corner kicks, while Houston Christian looked to hit on the counter. Spencer Moler saw a shot blocked for Liberty in the 35th minute, and Dylan Swinehart's effort sailed over the crossbar late in the half. Neither side could break through a resolute defensive wall, and the teams headed to halftime deadlocked at 0-0.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Liberty continuing to create more opportunities. Ben Carman fired high and wide early after the restart, while Zach Lifferth tested Houston Christian's goalkeeper in the 49th minute. Liberty's Leo Conneh had two more chances—one blocked in the 63rd minute and another that went wide in the 69th—as the Flames pressed for a breakthrough that never materialized.
Houston Christian's attacking forays were sporadic but dangerous. Santiago Maynez and Jireh Oyebamiji each had chances in the first half, while D'Alessandro Herrera's effort sailed high in the 66th minute. The Huskies also saw a shot blocked late in the match, but they rarely sustained pressure long enough to seriously threaten Liberty's goalkeeper.
Liberty finished with 12 shot attempts to Houston Christian's six, and the Flames also held a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal. The visitors earned two corner kicks compared to one for the hosts. Houston Christian's defense, bolstered by yellow cards to Ben Thirkill, Anis Harrar, and Nico Kross, held firm when it mattered most. Liberty's goalkeeper made three saves while Houston Christian's keeper recorded five.
The draw leaves Liberty with an 8-3-6 record, extending their unbeaten streak to three matches. The Flames have now drawn twice in their last three outings after beating SIUE 2-1 on October 25. Houston Christian improved to 9-5-2 with the result, bouncing back after a 2-1 loss at Lindenwood last week before defeating UIW 2-1 on October 24.
Both teams face quick turnarounds heading into Sunday. Liberty travels to face UIW at 2 p.m., looking to build on their recent form, while Houston Christian hosts Southern Indiana at the same time, seeking to return to the win column after Thursday's stalemate.