Liberty University
(0-4)
No. 11 Virginia
(3-3)
Liberty's Comeback Effort Falls Short in 2-1 Loss at No. 11 Virginia
9/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
The Liberty field hockey team staged a comeback in the second half at No. 11 Virginia. Serena Barr's goal at 58:04 cut the UVA lead to one, but the Lady Flames were unable to come up with the equalizer in the closing minutes in a 2-1 loss at the University Hall Turf Field.
Barr's goal, her second of the season and 23rd of her career, came on Liberty's eighth and final penalty corner. On an insert from Summer Parker, Bethany Barr provided the stick stop, and Serena Barr fired a low shot past goalkeeper Carrera Lucas.
The assist was Parker's first of the year and first of her career. Bethany Barr's assist was her third of the year and 26th of her career.
Virginia (3-3) scored the game's first two goals to lead 2-0 at intermission. Midfielder Tara Vittese scored a penalty corner goal, her third tally of the year, at 17:16. Vittese took an insert from Laura Schnatmeier and found Erin Shanahan to the right of the goal. Shanahan returned a pass to Vittese, who deposited the ball into the goal to give UVA a 1-0 lead.
Less than 15 seconds left, Liberty goalkeeper Allison Schaefer kept Virginia off the board with a sliding save on a Lucy Hyams shot, and defender Mallory Fortenbaugh made a key defensive save on a rebound attempt from Shanahan to keep the Virginia lead at 1-0.
UVA converted another penalty corner effort in the 27th minute. Vittese fired a hard shot on net that Schaefer pad saved. However, Caleigh Foust was there for the rebound and shot the ball into an uncontested goal for her second goal of the year.
Virginia held a significant 17-5 edge in shots in the first half and 26-13 advantage for the game. Vittese fired a game-high seven shots for the Cavaliers, while Serena Barr led Liberty with six shots. Rachel Suter had three shots, while Abby Julius and Agueda Moroni totaled two shots apiece.
For Liberty (0-4), Schaefer made nine saves in goal, bringing her season total to 38 (9.5 per game). Lucas earned the win with four shots.
Liberty drew eight penalty corners, compared to five for Virginia. The Lady Flames only converted one chance, bringing their penalty corner conversion rate to 3-for-28 on the year.
The loss was the Lady Flames' third one-goal loss of the season.
"Obviously this is not the start we wanted, but we are learning something from each game. The result today was a tale of two halves. We need to challenge and compete for a full 70 minutes," said head coach Jodi Murphy. "I thought the girls brought some fiery energy in the second half, led by Abby Julius and a great goal by Serena Barr, but that surge proved to not be enough. We turn our attention to the BIG EAST and are very excited for the opportunity to kick off our inaugural game versus Villanova on Friday.
A Look Ahead
Liberty's next game is the BIG EAST opener at Villanova on Friday to wrap up a five-game road trip. The Lady Flames will open their six-game 2016 home schedule against non-conference foe Longwood on Sept. 20 at the Liberty Field Hockey Field.
Team Stats
Tara Vittese (3)
Assisted By: Erin Shanahan
after corner passed from 3
17:16
Caleigh Foust (2)
rebound off goalie's pad
26:28
BARR, Serena (2)
Assisted By: PARKER, Summer , BARR, Bethany
penalty corner
58:04
