What Is 2019 Liberty Flames men's soccer team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 Liberty Flames men's soccer team represented Liberty University during the 2019 NCAA Division I men's soccer season, finishing with a 7–8–3 overall record under head coach Jeff Gradoville. They competed in the ASUN Conference and advanced to the ASUN Tournament semifinals.

Key Facts

The 2019 Liberty Flames finished the season with a 7–8–3 overall record
Head coach Jeff Gradoville led the team in his third season at Liberty
The Flames played home games at the Liberty Soccer Complex in Lynchburg, Virginia
Liberty advanced to the ASUN Tournament semifinals after a 1–0 quarterfinal win over NJIT
Senior forward Noah Fant was the team’s top scorer with 5 goals

Overview

The 2019 Liberty Flames men's soccer team represented Liberty University in the NCAA Division I men's soccer season. Competing in the ASUN Conference, the team was led by head coach Jeff Gradoville, who was in his third year at the helm. The Flames played their home matches at the Liberty Soccer Complex in Lynchburg, Virginia, a venue known for its strong fan support and well-maintained field conditions.

Liberty finished the 2019 season with a 7–8–3 overall record and a 3–2–1 mark in conference play. The team showed resilience in key matches, advancing to the ASUN Tournament semifinals after defeating NJIT 1–0 in the quarterfinals. Despite falling to Lipscomb in the semifinals, the season marked continued progress under Gradoville’s leadership.

Overall record: The Flames posted a 7–8–3 win-loss-draw record, reflecting a competitive but inconsistent season across non-conference and ASUN matchups.
ASUN performance: Liberty secured a 3–2–1 conference record, earning the fourth seed in the ASUN Tournament and a first-round bye.
Home field advantage: The team went 5–2–1 at the Liberty Soccer Complex, where strong attendance helped boost morale and performance.
Top performer: Senior forward Noah Fant led the offense with 5 goals, including the game-winner against NJIT in the ASUN quarterfinals.
Tournament result: The Flames were eliminated in the ASUN semifinals by Lipscomb 2–1 in a tightly contested match on November 10, 2019.

How It Works

The structure and operation of a collegiate men’s soccer team like the 2019 Liberty Flames involve coaching, player development, scheduling, and conference competition. These elements combine to shape a team’s performance and postseason eligibility.

Season Length: The NCAA Division I men's soccer season typically runs from August to December. The 2019 Flames played 18 matches from late August to mid-November.
Recruiting: Players are recruited nationally and internationally; Liberty’s 2019 roster included athletes from 10 U.S. states and 2 countries.
Coaching Staff: Head coach Jeff Gradoville oversaw strategy, training, and match decisions, supported by assistants focused on defense, offense, and goalkeeping.
Training Schedule: The team followed a rigorous regimen of daily practices, film sessions, and strength training, especially during the competitive fall season.
Eligibility Rules: NCAA rules limit student-athletes to four seasons of competition within five calendar years, impacting roster planning.
Injury Management: Sports medicine staff monitored player health, with at least 3 starters missing multiple games due to injuries in 2019.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2019 Liberty Flames compared to other ASUN Conference teams in key performance metrics:

Team	Overall Record	ASUN Record	Goals Scored	Postseason Result
Liberty	7–8–3	3–2–1	20	ASUN Semifinals
Lipscomb	10–7–1	5–1–0	27	ASUN Champions
Stetson	10–7–2	4–2–0	23	ASUN Final
NJIT	6–9–2	2–3–1	16	ASUN Quarterfinals
Kennesaw State	5–10–2	2–4–0	14	Did not qualify

Liberty ranked fourth in the ASUN standings and was outscored only by Lipscomb and Stetson. While their 20 goals were modest, defensive organization kept them competitive. The team’s early exit from the ASUN Tournament contrasted with Lipscomb’s championship run, but still marked improvement over previous seasons.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was a building block for Liberty’s growing soccer program, contributing to long-term development and conference competitiveness. The experience gained helped shape future recruiting and tactical approaches.

Program Growth: The Flames’ ASUN Tournament appearance signaled progress in Liberty’s transition from a developing to a mid-tier D1 program.
Player Development: Several underclassmen gained valuable experience, with 7 underclassmen starting at least 10 games.
Recruiting Momentum: Competitive performances helped attract higher-rated recruits in the 2020 and 2021 classes.
Conference Recognition: Noah Fant earned ASUN All-Conference Third Team honors, boosting team visibility.
Facility Investment: Strong attendance in 2019 supported future upgrades to the Liberty Soccer Complex.
NCAA Exposure: Deepening postseason runs in coming years could lead to NCAA Tournament bids and national exposure.

While the 2019 Liberty Flames didn’t reach the NCAA Tournament, their season laid the foundation for future success, both on the field and in program development.