Liberty University
(9-4)
No. 5 Virginia
(11-3)
Lady Flames Comeback Falls Just Short, Thursday
10/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
The No. 8 Lady Flames fell 4-3 to No. 5 Virginia, Thursday, despite scoring two unanswered goals during a furious rally in the final 10 minutes.
With the loss, Liberty falls to 9-4 on the season and 0-3 all-time against the Cavaliers. Virginia improved to 11-3 with the victory.
The Lady Flames jumped on the board first in the 21st minute to take a 1-0 lead. Following a Liberty short corner, Serena Barr flung the ball toward the left side of the frame. Twin sister Bethany Barr redirected the ball into the top left corner, just sneaking under the crossbar to put Liberty on top.
After a back-and-forth battle in the midfield, Virginia gained possession of the ball late in the closing minute of the first half and was granted a penalty corner. The Cavaliers capitalized on the equalizing chance when Lucy Hyams' shot was initially saved but deflected off a Liberty defender and sneaked into the goal.
The Cavaliers rode the momentum into the second half, netting three goals in a span of 13 minutes to take a 4-1 lead. The Virginia strikes were forced by Ell Greta, Caleigh Foust and Hyams.
The Lady Flames did not give up hope, continuing to pour on the offensive pressure. In the 60th minute, Ashlee Krulock recorded her 11th goal of the season. The ball was initially inserted into the circle by Sarah Gipe, but Natalie Barr redirected the pass to Krulock who was standing wide open by the goal. Krulock tipped Barr's pass into the back of the net to pull Liberty to within two, at 4-2.
With four minutes left, Serena Barr notched a goal of her own, her sixth of the campaign. On a penalty corner, Hannah Jones inserted the ball to Barr, who took one dribble to the right and fired on net. Barr's rip found the back of the net to cut the deficit to just one goal.
Despite Liberty possessing the ball in the attacking end, the Lady Flames could not get another shot off against the Cavalier defense, as Virginia preserved its one-goal victory.
Across the scoreboard, the stats were fairly even between the two competitors. The Cavaliers controlled the shot count, 16-14. Meanwhile, the Lady Flames recorded more saves than Virginia, 7-5.
The Cavaliers forced four more penalty corners than the Lady Flames, 11-7. Virginia capitalized on three penalty corners, proving to be the difference maker in the contest.
The Lady Flames return to action on Oct. 23 when Liberty travels to Lowell, Mass., for a contest against UMass Lowell at 3:30 p.m. On Oct. 25 the Lady Flames will then head to Providence, R.I., for a matchup against the Friars of Providence at 1 p.m.
Team Stats
BARR, Bethany (5)
Assisted By: BARR, Serena
deflected the ball under the crossbar fo
20:32
Lucy Hyams (7)
GOAL by VA Lucy Hyams, goal number 7 for season.
35:00
Greta Ell (7)
Assisted By: Lucy Hyams
deflected between goalie's legs
40:36
Caleigh Foust (4)
Assisted By: Riley Tata
passed across the middle, redirected bot
42:51
Lucy Hyams (8)
Assisted By: Tara Vittese , Nikki Freeman
GOAL by VA Lucy Hyams, Assist by Tara Vittese and Nikki Freeman, goal number 8 for season.
53:27
KRULOCK, Ashlee (11)
Assisted By: BARR, Natalie
redirected far post, tipped in bottom le
59:50
BARR, Serena (6)
Assisted By: JONES, Hannah
ripped from the top of the circle after
65:26
