Liberty University
(6-7 (4-2BIG EAST))
Providence
(12-4 (4-2BIG EAST))
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Providence | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Moroni's Two Second-Half Goals Lift Liberty to Victory at Providence
10/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Liberty freshman Agueda Moroni scored two second-half goals to lead the Liberty field hockey team to a 2-1 win over Providence on Friday evening at Lennon Family Field.
Moroni delivered the equalizer in the 42nd minute and scored the game-winner in the 54th minute to give the Lady Flames their fourth BIG EAST win of the year, moving them into second place in the conference standings.
Liberty improved to 6-7 overall and 4-2 in BIG EAST action, while Providence fell to 12-4 overall and 4-2 in league play.
"Tonight's match was a hard-fought victory, and I am incredibly proud of the girls for the way they competed and made the proper adjustments. We had a slow start in the first half, but the energy they came out with in the second half was just what we needed," said head coach Jodi Murphy. "Providence is having a tremendous season, and they were a very strong opponent. We knew we needed to be at our best."
Liberty trailed, 1-0, in the early stages of the contest after Providence's Kali Kilmer scored her seventh goal of the season just 1:38 into the match. Kilmer one-timed a ball into the goal on a feed from Sylvia Miller to give the hosts an early advantage they maintained throughout a first half that featured only one shot from each team.
The Lady Flames came out strong in the second half, drawing two early penalty corners. On the second one, Mallory Fortenbaugh inserted the ball to Serena Barr. Serena found her sister Bethany Barr, who dumped a pass to Moroni. Moroni one-timed the ball into the goal cage for her fifth goal of the season to tie the match, 1-1, at 41:03.
Liberty's seventh penalty corner of the match came midway through the second half and produced the game-winning score. Bethany Barr collected a Fortenbaugh insert and found her sister, Serena Barr. Serena dribbled right and found Moroni, who scored through the legs of Friars goalkeeper Megan Guilbert to give the Lady Flames a 2-1 edge at 53:22.
The goal was Moroni's second of the night and sixth of the season. It also proved to be her second game-winner of the season.
"Agui had a great performance this evening, helping us generate a lot of threatening attack opportunities as well as scoring on two penalty corners," stated Murphy. "Rachel Suter and Mal Fortenbaugh each did a superb job intercepting on defense and closing down a lot of Providence's chances."
Liberty drew three more penalty corners in an effort to extend the lead to 3-1, but came up empty. Providence's only penalty corner chance in the final 16:38 was stopped by Schaefer.
The Lady Flames held an 11-4 advantage in shots and 10-4 edge in penalty corners drawn. Schaefer made three saves in goal to pick up her sixth win of the year, while Providence keeper made five saves in a losing effort.
The Lady Flames return to their home turf for the first time since Oct. 8, when they host No. 4 North Carolina on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at the Liberty Field Hockey Field. The Tar Heels currently stand at 12-3 overall and 3-2 in ACC play.
Team Stats
KILMER, Kali (7)
Assisted By: MILLER, Sylvia
one-timed from middle of circle off feed
1:38
MORONI, Agueda (5)
Assisted By: BARR, Bethany
dump pass to right; one-timer
41:01
MORONI, Agueda (6)
Assisted By: BARR, Serena
pass left from top of circle; one-timed
53:22
