Liberty University
(17-2)
Connecticut
(11-11)
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UConn | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Liberty | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Liberty Tops UConn 1-0 for First BIG EAST Title in Program History
11/7/2021 8:31:20 PM | Field Hockey
No. 1 seed Liberty topped tournament host No. 2 seed UConn, the nine-time defending league champion, 1-0, in the 2021 BIG EAST Field Hockey Championship title game on Sunday, securing its first BIG EAST title in program history.
With the win, Liberty punches its ticket to the NCAA Field Hockey Championship for the first time since 2014 and for the third time in school history. Liberty senior forward Jill Bolton scored the game’s lone goal in the 42nd minute. Bolton was named BIG EAST Field Hockey Championship MVP.
Liberty, the eighth-ranked team in the nation, matches a school record with its 17th victory of the season. The Lady Flames improve to 17-2 on the year and extend their winning streak to 14 games, the longest active streak in the country.
UConn, the No. 19-ranked team in the country, falls to 11-11 on the year. Today’s setback is the Huskies’ first in a BIG EAST Tournament game since falling in the 2011 title game to Syracuse.
The NCAA Field Hockey Championship Selection Show will take place at 10 p.m. tonight and can be seen on NCAA.com.
Liberty’s BIG EAST All-Tournament team selections included Bolton, Charlotte Vaanhold, Bethany Dykema and Daniella Rhodes.
Scoring Summary
42’ – LIBERTY – Jill Bolton (unassisted)
Goalkeepers
W: Azul Iritxity Irigoyen 17-2, one save
L: Cheyenne Sprecher 11-11, six saves
Turning Point
The Huskies’ Nanne Eijkman received a yellow card at the 40:33 mark, giving the Lady Flames a one-player advantage. Liberty immediately capitalized, as Jill Bolton turned over a Connecticut defender. Bolton entered the circle and ripped a shot through the legs of Huskies goalkeeper Cheyenne Sprecher at the 41:08 mark for what proved to be the game-winning goal. The goal was Bolton’s team-leading 17th of the season.
UConn drew both of its penalty corners in the closing minutes, but Claire Jandeworth’s shot was blocked (53:14) and Kourtney Kennedy’s shot was turned aside by Liberty goalkeeper Azul Iritxity Irigoyen (55:20). The Huskies pulled their goalkeeper with 3:47 to play for an extra field player, but the Lady Flames’ defense held strong and held UConn without a shot in the closing minutes.
Key Stats & Notes
• Liberty’s BIG EAST crown is its first in school history and the program’s third conference title overall. The Lady Flames won NorPac Conference crowns in 2013 and 2014.
• This was Liberty’s sixth shutout of the season. During the Lady Flames’ current 14-game winning streak, they have outscored their counterparts 54-12.
• Liberty outshot UConn 8-3 in the contest. Both teams drew two penalty corners. Seven different Lady Flames recorded shots in the match.
• Iritxity Irigoyen, an All-BIG EAST first team selection, recorded her fifth shutout of the season.
• This is Liberty’s third straight win over UConn. The Lady Flames topped the Huskies for the first time during the spring season (March 14) and went 2-0 against UConn this fall. Liberty outscored UConn 8-1 in those three matches.
• All-Tournament Team
Bolton, the BIG EAST Tournament MVP and All-Tournament team member, scored two goals this weekend in the championship. Vaanhold, an All-Tournament team selection, tallied two goals in Liberty’s 4-2 win over Temple, Friday. Bethany Dykema was a key member of the Liberty defensive unit which limited Temple and UConn to a combined two goals this weekend, and she tallied an assist. Rhodes, the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year and All-Tournament Team honoree, scored the Lady Flames’ first goal on Friday versus Temple.
• Liberty bolsters its record in the BIG EAST Championship to 5-5 in six career appearances. The Lady Flames have been in the BIG EAST Tournament in each year they have been in the conference.
Up Next
Liberty will make its third NCAA Field Hockey Championship appearance. The Lady Flames’ first round opponent, game time and location will be announced later Sunday evening.
Team Stats
BOLTON, Jill (17)
Reverse strike through GK's legs
41:08
