Krulock Records Hat Trick in 8-1 Victory, Tuesday

The Liberty Lady Flames poured on goal after goal en route to an 8-1 victory over the visiting Longwood Lancers, Tuesday at Liberty Field Hockey Field. Liberty's eight goals mark the fourth time in program history the Lady Flames have tallied eight or more goals, and the first since defeating Appalachian State 9-1 on Oct. 13, 2013.

With their sixth straight victory, the Lady Flames extend their record to 7-4 while the Lancers fall to 4-7.

Liberty junior forward Ashlee Krulock stole the show in Tuesday's contest, netting three goals for her second career hat trick, with the only other time being in a 6-2 victory over then NorPac foe Davidson on Oct. 5, 2013.

The Lady Flames jumped on board first in the 12th minute when junior midfielder Helen Doolittle sent a shot from the left side of the circle, flying into the bottom right corner of the net for her second goal of the season. The goal came off the penalty corner that had broken up, but Doolittle corralled the ball before the defense could react.

Liberty extended the lead to 2-0 in the 14th minute when Krulock connected on her first goal of the contest and her fifth of the season. Following another penalty corner, teammate Serena Barr was denied a goal by Longwood goalie Lauren Bernard. However, Bernard tipped the ball in Krulock's direction. Krulock then flicked the ball into the bottom left corner for the goal.

The Lancers notched their lone goal when Jennifer Burris netted her fifth goal of the season in the 27th minute, cutting the lead to one at 2-1.

Prior to the half, Liberty's Natalie Barr connected on her first goal of the season in the 30th minute following a pass from teammate and sister Bethany Barr. Sarah Gipe tallied her seventh goal of the season in the 33rd minute to extend the lead to 4-1 before the end of the first half.

Coming out of the locker room, Liberty tallied four more goals in the second frame.

Krulock netted her second goal of the contest in the 40th minute to extend the Lady Flames lead to 5-1. Teammate Erin Dombach set up Krulock, dribbling through the defense and into the circle. Dombach's dribbling abilities brought Bernard out of the goal. Dombach passed the ball to the left side of the goal to a wide open Krulock who finished the job.

Krulock capped off the hat trick five minutes later, lobbing the ball over Bernard's head into the right corner. Once again the Lady Flames were able to dribble through the defense and pull Bernard out of the net. Bernard attempted to make a play on the ball when Bethany Barr passed to a wide open Krulock. Bernard began to recover, but it was too late as Krulock successfully flicked the ball over Bernard's outstretched arms to complete the hat trick.

Liberty tacked on two more goals within 45 seconds of each other. Hannah Doherty found the back of the net in the 57th minute for her third goal of the season. Teammate Nicole Simms scored 45 seconds later, her second of the season, extending the Liberty lead to 8-1.

Liberty outshot the Lancers 27-8, including a 20-4 advantage in shots on goal.

Junior goalie Mallory Cuccio recorded three more saves in Tuesday's contest, bringing her season total to 50.

Liberty returns to action Sunday, playing host to NorPac Conference foe Appalachian State. The contest is slated for 2 p.m. at Liberty Field Hockey Field.

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Krulock Records Hat Trick in 8-1 Victory, Tuesday

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Team Stats

Ashlee Krulock

Sarah Gipe

Nicole Simms

Natalie Barr