Liberty University
(5-2)
No. 8 Wake Forest
(6-2)
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Wake Forest | 1 | 1 | 2 |
No. 13 Liberty's Comeback Falls Short at No. 8 Wake Forest
9/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Ashlee Krulock netted a goal in the closing minutes of play but it was not enough as No. 13 Liberty fell to No. 8 Wake Forest, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon at Kentner Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The Lady Flames suffered another nail biter, falling to 5-2 on the season following their second consecutive 2-1 setback. Liberty dropped a 2-1 decision at then No. 11 Louisville on Sept. 13. The Demon Deacons improve to 6-1 following their sixth consecutive win.
Wake Forest notched the first goal of the contest when Jess Newak buried a penalty stroke to give the Demon Deacons a 1-0 advantage in the first four minutes of play.
The Liberty defense maintained composure and held strong for the remainder of the contest.
In the 50th minute, Liberty netted what would have been equalizer but the goal was called back, allowing Wake Forest to cling to the one-goal advantage.
The Demon Deacons capitalized on the Liberty misfortune, extending the lead to 2-0 in the 65th minute when Newak connected for her second goal of the contest.
The Lady Flames did not stop fighting, as Krulock buried her sixth goal of the season with 59 seconds remaining on the clock. Krulock's goal was set up by Serena Barr following the penalty corner, cutting the two-goal deficit in half.
Liberty continued to apply pressure on the Wake Forest defense, but could not find the back of the net to send the contest into overtime.
The Lady Flames hung with the Demon Deacons in the shot count, tallying 10 shots to Wake Forest's 11. Liberty forced six penalty corners and surrendered just five.
Mallory Cuccio recorded a season-best seven saves during the contest, despite falling to 5-2 on the season. Cuccio now has 163 career saves, 16 shy of passing Ann Jefferis for the most saves in program history.
The Lady Flames return to action next weekend with a pair of Top 20 opponents. Liberty will travel to Norfolk, Va., Friday to take on Old Dominion at 6 p.m. Old Dominion is currently ranked No. 15. The Lady Flames will then host No. 11 Boston College on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Team Stats
Jess Newak (6)
WF Jess Newak PENALTY STROKE GOAL, goal number 6 for season.
3:59
Jess Newak (7)
Assisted By: Emily Conroe , Shannon Eby
GOAL by WF Jess Newak, Assist by Emily Conroe and Shannon Eby, goal number 7 for season.
64:26
KRULOCK, Ashlee (6)
Assisted By: BARR, Serena
GOAL by LIBERTY KRULOCK, Ashlee, Assist by BARR, Serena, goal number 6 for season.
69:01
