Liberty University
(1-4, 1-0BIG EAST)
Villanova
(0-7, 0-1BIG EAST)
Second Half Surge Powers Liberty to 5-1 Victory in BIG EAST Opener
9/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
The Liberty field hockey team played a strong second half on Friday, scoring five second-half goals en route to a 5-1 victory over Villanova in its BIG EAST opener at The Villanova Field Hockey Field.
The win was Liberty's (1-4, 1-0 BIG EAST) first-ever victory in the BIG EAST Conference, and the five goals were a season high for the team.
After a scoreless first half, Bethany Barr got Liberty on the board at 35:46. Following a scrum in front of the net, the ball caromed to Barr inside the right circle. Barr fired a shot past Villanova (0-7, 0-1 BIG EAST) goalkeeper Erika Miller for her first goal of the season.
Bethany Barr put the Lady Flames ahead, 2-0, in the 40th minute. Liberty was 0-for-7 on penalty corners in the first stanza but converted on its eighth attempt. Serena Barr inserted the ball to Abby Julius, who swept the ball across to Bethany Barr in the right side of the circle. Bethany scored her second goal of the season and 22nd of her career.
Serena Barr gave Liberty a 3-0 lead at 45:08. Her sister Bethany Barr dribbled inside the circle and sent a pass to Serena, who dribbled to her left and fired a backhanded strike into the left side of the goal cage for her team-high third goal of the season.
The Lady Flames got their fourth goal of the game in the 57th minute on their 10th penalty corner of the match. After Serena Barr drew the corner, Summer Parker inserted the ball to Abby Julius on the left side, who took a dribble and fired a low hit into the right side of the goal for her first goal of the season.
Julius notched her second goal of the contest in the 66th minute of the match on a penalty corner. Serena Barr assisted on the goal, her second assist of the match. Liberty finished the day 3-for-12 on penalty corners.
Liberty dominated possession for much of the second half, but Villanova drew two of its four penalty corners late in the game, finally converting on one at 66:37. On a Francesca Bello pushout, Kristen Mericle sent a ball from the left side of the circle in front of the net, and Allison Sayia tipped it past Lady Flames goalkeeper Allison Schaefer to cut the Liberty lead to 5-1.
Schaefer was rarely tested in the contest (two saves), but earned the victory in goal for the first win of her collegiate career. Miller was credited with the loss, as she surrendered four goals and made six saves before giving way to Jordyn Clipstone for the final 10:14.
Liberty held a 22-6 advantage in shots and 12-4 advantage in penalty corners.
"This was a very significant win today as we embark on our BIG EAST Conference journey. We are so grateful for the opportunity to compete in the BIG EAST, and to start our campaign off with a victory is extra special. I thought the girls embraced the moment with poise and great energy," said head coach Jodi Murphy. "Villanova's defense was tough in the first half, and we needed to make some adjustments in the second half, which really helped us open up the play and create some more attack opportunities. I thought our penalty corner execution in the second half was much sharper. Bethany Barr and Abby Julius both stepped up to make big plays today."
The Lady Flames will open their six-game 2016 home schedule against non-conference foe Longwood on Tuesday at the Liberty Field Hockey Field at 4 p.m. Liberty will then host BIG EAST opponent Quinnipiac on Friday at 4 p.m.
Team Stats
BARR, Bethany
scramble in box
35:46
BARR, Bethany
Assisted By: JULIUS, Abby , BARR, Serena
GOAL by LIBERTY BARR, Bethany, Assist by JULIUS, Abby and BARR, Serena.
39:57
BARR, Serena
Assisted By: BARR, Bethany
dribbled in
45:08
JULIUS, Abby
Assisted By: PARKER, Summer
off corner
56:04
JULIUS, Abby
Assisted By: BARR, Serena
off corner
65:28
SAYIA, Allison (2)
Assisted By: BELLO, Francesca , MERICLE, Kristen
off corner
66:37
