Liberty Cruises to Fourth Conference Win
4/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
The Liberty Lady Flames lacrosse squad followed Friday's dominant performance with an identical 23-goal outing on Sunday. Liberty defeated Presbyterian, 23-9 at Martins Stadium in Clinton, S.C. to tie the program record for most goals in a single game, set in Friday's 23-4 victory at Gardner-Webb.
With the victory today, the Lady Flames improved to 6-8 overall including a program best 4-0 in Big South action. Following the loss for Presbyterian, the Blue Hose fall to 3-10, including an 0-4 Big South mark.
After following Friday's team record-setting performance, a few Lady Flames provided individual record-setting games in the victory. Freshman standout, Katy Pridemore netted a program-best seven goals in the victory, setting the record for most goals in a single contest. Pridemore's seven goals bring her total to 39 on the season, three goals shy of passing teammate Sam Struss for the single-season record of goals scored.
Redshirt junior defender, Colleen Ekert set the new program record for the most caused turnovers in a contest with seven. Former Liberty defender Hilary Baker held the previous mark of six, set on April 17, 2010 in a 17-3 loss at Presbyterian.
Co-captain and redshirt senior Morgan Becker collected nine points for the second time this season after netting six goals and dishing out three assists. Becker and Pridemore are now tied for the most points in a single season with 51. Pridemore has 39 goals and 12 assists while Becker has 30 goals and 21 assists. Becker's 21 assists ties the Virginia native with Struss for the most assists in a single season.
To begin the contest, the Blue Hose netted the game's first two goals to take a 2-0 lead with 22:56 remaining in the opening frame.
The Lady Flames connected on three unanswered goals to take a 3-2 lead over the next four minutes of play. Becker collected two of her six goals to begin the Liberty scoring. Kallie Britton continued her strong play as of late, notching her 21st goal of the season at the 18:59 mark to give the Lady Flames their first lead, 3-2.
Presbyterian outscored Liberty 2-1 over the next four minutes to tie the contest at four apiece. The lone Liberty goal was collected by Pridemore, her first of seven goals. Pridemore's strike marked the 14th consecutive contest that the standout freshman has scored.
After the tough start, the Lady Flames scored four unanswered goals to take the lead, 8-4, for good. Four different Liberty players netted the four goals. Co-captain Nina Dunay provided the Lady Flames with a 5-4 lead, one that would not be relinquished. Pridemore, Becker and sophomore Courtney Brown netted the other three goals to provide Liberty with some breathing room.
Presbyterian outscored Liberty over the final six minutes of the half, 4-3 to cut the deficit to three goals before the half. Becker and Pridemore combined for seven of the 11 first half goals for Liberty.
The Blue Hose opened the second half with a Jess Goergen goal with 27:50 remaining on the clock. The Liberty defense stood tall, holding Presbyterian scoreless over the final 27 minutes of play.
Liberty outscored the Blue Hose, 12-0 over the final 26:56 to take the commanding 23-9 victory.
Pridemore netted four second half goals to claim the new seven goal record for the Lady Flames. The Vero Beach, Fla., native and Becker combined for six of the 12 second half goals for Liberty.
Michaela Rich and Dunay each connected on two goals in the second half, as the duo bring their season totals to 21 goals for Rich and 19 for Dunay.
Becker netted the final goal of the contest with 46 ticks on the clock to solidify the 23-9 victory for the Lady Flames.
Juliann Elmer improved her record to 6-8 in goal for the Lady Flames. The Phoenix, Md., native recorded seven saves in the contest, bringing her season total to 171. Elmer's saves not only leads the nation but ranks her third in program history for the most saves in a single season. The junior goalkeeper needs 16 saves to pass Kristen Masullo for the most saves in a single season.
The Lady Flames outshot Presbyterian 46-21 and also scooped up 30 ground balls to just 21 from the Blue Hose. Liberty won 20 draw controls to Presbyterian's 14. The Lady Flames' defense stepped up causing 27 Blue Hose turnovers.
Liberty will return to action on Friday when the Lady Flames host High Point in the regular season home finale at 4 p.m. The contest will serve as senior day for the Liberty seniors.
