Liberty University
(5-0)
Ohio
(2-3)
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| Ohio | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Barr's Three-Goal Performance Lifts No. 17 Liberty over Ohio
9/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Natalie Barr netted three goals to help lead No. 17 Liberty to a 7-1 victory over the Ohio Bobcats on Friday afternoon. Barr's hat trick marked the third of her career and her first since Oct. 17, 2013 at Longwood. Liberty won 7-1 for the second consecutive contest, with the other coming against Richmond in Lynchburg, Va., this past Tuesday.
The victory lifted the red, white and blue to a 5-0 start, continuing the best start to a season in Lady Flames' history. Following the loss, Ohio drops to 2-3 and 0-2 all-time against Liberty.
The Bobcats had an early chance to get on board first, when Elena Curley clanked a shot off the post in the first 30 seconds. The Lady Flames capitalized on the missed chance, as Ashlee Krulock notched Liberty's first goal on its first shot of the contest. Rachel Suter found Krulock standing in front of the goal where she sent a reverse shot into the bottom of the net for the 1-0 lead.
Barr upped the Liberty lead to 3-0 by collecting back-to-back goals in the 22nd and 24th minute of the first half. Barr's first goal was set up by Abby Julius, who inserted a pass into the left side of the circle. Barr redirected the pass between the goalie's legs to double the lead to 2-0. Barr's second goal came off a delivery from Sarah Gipe. The Pennsylvania captain found the Northern Ireland captain at the left side of the net for a goal, extending the Liberty lead to 3-0.
Hannah Jones extended the Lady Flames' advantage, following a penalty stroke. After Alynn Richardson lifted a shot into an Ohio defender, Liberty was granted a penalty stroke for obstruction. Jones stepped up and delivered a shot, beating the keeper to the right side of the net for her first goal of the season.
Liberty's final goal of the first half came from Hannah Doherty, her first of the season. After being granted a short corner, Serena Barr found Doherty on the right side of the net for the Lady Flames' fifth goal of the contest and a 5-0 advantage at halftime.
Barr completed her hat trick during the third minute of the second stanza. For the second time during the contest, Julius connected with Barr for a goal. Julius inserted the ball from the left side of the circle to Barr, who was standing in a prime scoring position. Barr flicked a one-timer into the right side of the cage to give the visitors a 6-0 lead.
Richardson scored Liberty's seventh and final goal of the contest matching the Lady Flames' season-high goal tally, recorded in Tuesday's 7-1 victory over Richmond. Bethany Barr found Richardson racing towards the goal in the middle of the field with a pass. Richardson whipped the ball into the back of the net to extend Liberty's lead to 7-0.
The Bobcats scored in the 67th minute when Kendall Ballard scored off the Ohio penalty corner for what proved to be the final score of 7-1.
Mallory Cuccio picked up the win in Friday's contest, despite splitting time with freshman Erin Bradshaw. The duo combined for three saves with Bradshaw collecting her first collegiate save in the 66th minute.
The Lady Flames controlled the pace of the game, collecting 26 shots to just nine for the Bobcats. Liberty also owned the shots on goal count with the 22-4 tally.
Liberty forced eight penalty corners to just two for the Bobcats.
The Lady Flames are outscoring opponents 25-9 through the squad's first five contests.
Liberty will be tested with a road contest this Sunday. The Lady Flames travel to Louisville, Ky., to take on No. 11 Louisville. Game time at Trager Stadium is set for 1 p.m. Liberty defeated Louisville, 2-1, in the first-ever meeting between the two teams on Sept. 28, 2014 in Lynchburg, Va.
Team Stats
KRULOCK, Ashlee (5)
Assisted By: SUTER, Rachel
Backhanded to bottom left corner
1:51
BARR, Natalie (3)
Assisted By: JULIUS, Abby
Scored on pass to left side, redirected
21:06
BARR, Natalie (4)
Assisted By: GIPE, Sarah
From left side
23:00
JONES, Hannah (1)
LIBERTY JONES, Hannah PENALTY STROKE GOAL, goal number 1 for season.
26:20
DOHERTY, Hannah (1)
Assisted By: BARR, Serena
Off corner chance on pass to right side
33:43
BARR, Natalie (5)
Assisted By: JULIUS, Abby
on pass into middle and shot straight in
37:52
RICHARDSON, Alynn (1)
Assisted By: BARR, Bethany
Pass across to middle, redirected past g
46:42
BALLARD, Kendall (1)
Off of rebound on a penalty corner chanc
66:02
