Liberty, No. 18 Virginia Tech to Meet in Friday's Season Opener
2/10/2021 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
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The Liberty Lady Flames women's lacrosse team will kick off its 2021 season at home against No. 18 Virginia Tech on Friday.
First draw between the Lady Flames (3-3 in 2020) and Hokies (7-3, 1-1 ACC in 2020) is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Liberty Lacrosse Field.
Liberty and Virginia Tech squared off in 2020 in Blacksburg, Va., with the 23rd-ranked Hokies picking up a 20-5 victory. The Lady Flames are seeking their first-ever victory over Virginia Tech in what will be the ninth meeting between the two programs.
Attendance
Due to COVID-19 protocols, attendance at the Liberty Lacrosse Field will be restricted to only home and visiting team player guests via a pass list. On game day, the pass list table will open 60 minutes before game time. There will be a tent at the center of the Campus East Fields where team guests can check in.
Masks and social distancing of six feet or more from anyone not in a family or party are required at all times. More game day information and policies can be found at liberty.edu/flames/game-day-central/.
For media outlets interested in covering the game, please contact Assistant Athletics Director Bill Smith (wsmith51@liberty.edu) in advance so your needs can be accommodated.
Lady Flames News and Notes
• Liberty senior Carly White earned ASUN Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and Preseason All-Conference team honors. Anna Keebler and Sarah Steenson received ASUN Preseason All-Conference accolades as well for the Lady Flames.
• The Lady Flames have been picked to finish second in the ASUN Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll for a second straight year. Jacksonville is the preseason favorite in the conference, while Kennesaw State (third) and Stetson (fourth) comprise the rest of the poll.
• Liberty's 2021 roster features four seniors, four juniors, 10 sophomores and 17 freshmen. Please note that the Lady Flames' listed eligibility is based on spring sports student-athletes receiving another year of eligibility after the COVID-19 pandemic halted the 2020 spring season in mid-March.
• Liberty returns 86.3 percent of its scoring (63-of-73 goals) from a year ago. Keebler (24 goals), Mia Toscano (12 goals) and White (seven goals) are the top three returning scorers. Keebler ranked 11th nationally in goals per game (4.00) and 29th in total goals (24) in 2020. White is the program's active career leader with 97 goals.
• Last season, Lady Flames finished No. 2 in the nation in caused turnovers per game (14.83), No. 10 in ground balls per game (21.00), No. 12 in draw controls per game (16.33) and No. 21 in draw control percentage (.566).
• The Lady Flames posted a 3-0 mark at home in 2020 and are 16-2 at the Liberty Lacrosse Field since the beginning of the 2018 season.
• The last time Liberty began a season with a ranked opponent was in 2017 at No. 8 Notre Dame.
• Liberty dropped its 2020 season opener by a 20-12 score at Oregon. The Lady Flames are 4-7 all-time in season openers.
• Liberty's 2021 slate features five opponents ranked in the 2021 IWLCA Division I Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 2 Notre Dame (March 19, away), No. 8 Florida (April 28, away), No. 10 James Madison (March 31, home), No. 15 Duke (April 13, away) and No. 18 Virginia Tech (Feb. 12, home).
