Liberty University
6-5-1 4-0BSC
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
UNC Asheville
8-4-0 2-2BSC
Another Knoebel Goal Helps Liberty Edge Asheville
10/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
The Liberty women's soccer team maintained its top spot in the Big South standings, Friday night, defeating UNC Asheville, 1-0. Due to inclement weather forecasted for the Asheville area, the contest was played at Mars Hill.
Once again, sophomore forward Jennifer Knoebel made her presence known, recording the game-winning goal for the Lady Flames. After posting her third straight goal in as many contests, Knoebel now leads the Lady Flames in points (13), goals (4) and assists (5).
Liberty goalkeeper Holly Van Noord picked up her conference-leading fifth shutout of the season, extending her program record to 28 career clean sheets. The netminder finished the night with five saves. Asheville's Lily Brown concluded the matchup with nine stops.
With the win, Liberty moves to 6-5-1 overall and a perfect 4-0-0 in Big South action. Asheville drops to 8-4 and 2-2 in conference play. Liberty leads the all-time series 16-8-2 and is 8-0-3 in the last 11 meetings against the Bulldogs, dating back to the 2005 season.
The Lady Flames outshot Asheville, 14-9, while holding a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Liberty's defense proved formidable against the Asheville attack in the opening period, holding the Bulldogs to two shots, with each attempt sailing wide of the net. Meanwhile, the Lady Flames tallied eight shots, including six on goal.
Knoebel came through for the Lady Flames with the lone goal of the game in the 31st minute. With Asheville's back line moving the ball left to right, Knoebel picked the pocket of the center back just outside the 18-yard box. The sophomore positioned herself for a one-on-one matchup with Brown, cutting past the goalkeeper and chipping a shot into an open net for the 1-0 entering halftime.
Asheville turned up the attack in the second period, taking five shots on goal. Van Noord collected all five of her saves during the stanza, thwarting a trio of shots from Paige Trent and two by Caroline Houser. Knoebel, Brittany Aanderud, Crystal Elmers and Alyssa Hill each had a look at the Asheville goal frame, but Brown was there to make every stop. Ultimately, Van Noord's play on the opposite end allowed the Lady Flames to hold on for the 1-0 final.
Liberty remains on the road, Wednesday, squaring off with Presbyterian. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.
Team Stats
KNOEBEL, Jennifer
stolen just outside box
30:13
