LYNCHBURG, Va. – A pair of goals for each side resulted in each team grabbing a point as Stetson and Liberty came to a 2-2 draw Saturday night in a rainy match at Osborne Stadium.

"At the end of the day if we want to win an ASUN championship, we need to execute better," head coach Emmett Rutkowski said "We got to score goals on the build, and on balls coming across the box. We're doing a good job scoring set piece goals but we need to be more dynamic. Then we have to be stronger across the entire 90 minutes. We are losing concentration at some critical moments of the game. I think we're right there, but we need to improve these small moments; that obviously hurt us tonight."

While the Hatters controlled possession in the early going, the Flames counterattacked to create chances off turnovers, but it was the visiting team to crack the scoreboard first on the night.

Following a foul drawn by redshirt sophomore Luis Lara, junior midfielder Alessandro Gabbani took a quick survey of the situation and crushed a free kick toward goal before either side was arranged for a set piece. The rapid kick caught everyone out of position which led to a scrambling Liberty goalkeeper Blake Franzen who couldn't keep the Rome, Italy native's free kick from finding the back of the net, 1-0 in the 33rd minute. That score line would hold into halftime.

Liberty responded three minutes into the second half as an overload on the left isolated the Hatters left back with two attacking players. The gap resulted in two quick passes with the second across the face of goal where Luke Eberle tapped in the tying goal, 1-1.

After the defensive lapse, both defenses bowed and it appeared as if the game was grinding toward a draw with neither side able to generate successful attacks, until Liberty got a free runner past Stetson's high line defense. While the Flames central forward was in an offside position, Gabe Findley ran onto a through-ball that caused the back line to pause momentarily. The pause was all that was needed as the winger attacked with only Hatter goalkeeper Owen Jack between the attacker and goal. Findley scored the go-ahead goal in the 84th minute.

The Hatters, with time running against them, responded immediately forcing numbers and the ball forward. A misplay by a defender led to Lara getting a free run in the box and Franzen scrambling toward a loose ball over the top. The goalie punched with both fists and his left hand struck ball; his right hand struck Lara's upper body. The head official quickly pointed to the spot for a penalty kick. Junior midfielder Gio Rodriguez stepped up and converted with 4:26 left on the clock, 2-2. The goal was the fourth Rodriguez had on the season.

Both teams tried a few probing attacks in the short remaining time but locked up the back to hang onto the result they both worked into position to take.

Hatter men's soccer will be on the road for the longest road trip in ASUN regular season play, facing Bellarmine in Louisville, Kentucky next Saturday with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program is driven by a shared purpose. It is what inspires, motivates and binds us together. More than a task, a reason for being. THE HATTER PURPOSE is to create and provide an experience of a lifetime through teamwork and relationships to achieve excellence. This purpose is achieved through five Core Values: Communication, Integrity, Excellence, Value People and Commitment. To learn more about the HATS program and our Core Values, visit GoHatters.com/HATS. Get in on the conversation on social media by following Stetson Athletics on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For video content, visit our YouTube channels: Stetson Hatters, Stetson Athletics and, for live events, Hatter Vision.