Liberty University
8-3-1, 4-0-1BSC
Radford
6-5-2, 3-1-1BSC
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radford | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Liberty | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Late Goal Puts Liberty Over Radford
10/8/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
The Liberty women's soccer team gained sole possession of first place in the conference standings, Wednesday afternoon at Osborne Stadium, defeating Radford, 2-1.
Junior forward Crystal Elmers scored a late game-winning goal in the 76th minute thanks to a key assist from freshman forward Baylee Gillmore. Elmers now has four goals on the year, tying her with senior forward Alanna Dunkle for the team lead.
Brittany Aanderud posted her third goal this season in the opening half, extending her team lead in points to 12.
With the win, Liberty moves to 8-3-1 overall and 4-0-1 in Big South play. Radford drops to 6-5-1 and 3-1-1 in conference action.
Liberty is now 6-2 at home this season, including 3-0 against conference opponents. The Lady Flames are unbeaten in their last seven games, the program's longest streak since going unbeaten in eight consecutive games in 2009. That year, Liberty went on to capture the Big South regular-season title.
Goalkeeper Holly Van Noord played the entire contest in the net for Liberty, making two saves. Radford netminder Sydney Chervenic also spent the full 90 minutes in between the posts, finishing with three saves.
Liberty outshot the Highlanders, 19-8, and held a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks.
After a foul inside the box in the 27th minute, Aanderud capitalized on a penalty kick opportunity to put the Lady Flames ahead, 1-0.
The Highlanders responded in the 35th minute with an equalizing goal off a free kick. Jordan Lundin blasted the ball toward the Liberty goal frame, allowing Hannah Thomas to connect on a header, knotting the contest at 1-1 before halftime.
Liberty poured on the pressure in the second half, outshooting the Highlanders, 12-3. Radford's best look at a goal came in the 53rd minute. With Hannah Duff charging toward the Liberty goal frame, Van Noord came out to challenge, deflecting the attempt with a two-handed save to maintain the stalemate.
Gillmore helped set up the game-winning goal in the 76th minute, driving down the far side and taking a shot at the Radford net. Chervenic was there to ricochet the shot, but Elmers followed up, tapping the ball into an open net form close range to seal the 2-1 victory.
Liberty heads to High Point on Saturday. Match time is slated for 1 p.m.
Team Stats
AANDERUD, Brittany (3)
LIBERTY AANDERUD, Brittany PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 3 for season.
26:47
THOMAS, Hannah (2)
Assisted By: LUNDIN, Jordan
* Header off free kick.
34:27
ELMERS, Crystal (4)
Assisted By: GILLMORE, Baylee
* Deflected off goalkeeper. Scooped up a
75:11
