
Liberty Overcomes Delay, Defeats Jax State 2-1
10/12/2023 11:57:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LYNCHBURG, Va. – No strangers to off-script game situations, the Liberty women's soccer team overcame a 2-hour delay to take down Jacksonville State 2-1 at home deep into Thursday night.
Following the result, Liberty moves to 12-1-1 overall and 3-1-1 (10 points) in the Conference USA standings. The Lady Flames move into sole possession of second place in CUSA.
After taking a 1-0 lead into the half thanks to a Rachel DeRuby score, the game was delayed for just over two hours due to a lighting issue at Osborne Stadium.
Both teams came out fast to start the half creating multiple chances on both ends of the pitch. Jax State struck first in the 62' minute with a score from Laleh Lonteen who pushed it past Liberty keeper Ainsley's on the front doorstep of the penalty box.
Liberty's Saydie Holland answered right back, forcing a turnover in the attacking zone and blazing past the Gamecocks' defense to respond with minutes.
Liberty goalkeeper Ainsley Leja allowed a single goal on Thursday and came up with two impressive saves towards the end of the match. Leja denied a chance by an unmarked Gamecock, attacking the forward, forcing a deflection on a nearby shot. In the final minute of the match, Jax State crossed a ball deep into the penalty box that Leja forced a ricocheted shot just off the crossbar, bar-down, to seal the game.
The Lady Flames have grown accustomed to unexpected off-the-field situations. In the opening match of the season, Liberty was forced to travel to Richmond, Va., twice to get the game in as a strong storm on August 17 postponed the match to August where the Lady Flames opened the year with a 2-1 victory.
"It's a good conference win for sure, after losing and the tie the last two weeks, it's really good for us to be able to get back on the winning track."
Lady Flames News & Notes
Up Next
The Lady Flames then head out for its longest road trip in 2023, heading to El Paso, Texas to take on UTEP on Sunday 3 p.m. ET/1 p.m. MT.
Following the result, Liberty moves to 12-1-1 overall and 3-1-1 (10 points) in the Conference USA standings. The Lady Flames move into sole possession of second place in CUSA.
After taking a 1-0 lead into the half thanks to a Rachel DeRuby score, the game was delayed for just over two hours due to a lighting issue at Osborne Stadium.
Both teams came out fast to start the half creating multiple chances on both ends of the pitch. Jax State struck first in the 62' minute with a score from Laleh Lonteen who pushed it past Liberty keeper Ainsley's on the front doorstep of the penalty box.
Liberty's Saydie Holland answered right back, forcing a turnover in the attacking zone and blazing past the Gamecocks' defense to respond with minutes.
Liberty goalkeeper Ainsley Leja allowed a single goal on Thursday and came up with two impressive saves towards the end of the match. Leja denied a chance by an unmarked Gamecock, attacking the forward, forcing a deflection on a nearby shot. In the final minute of the match, Jax State crossed a ball deep into the penalty box that Leja forced a ricocheted shot just off the crossbar, bar-down, to seal the game.
The Lady Flames have grown accustomed to unexpected off-the-field situations. In the opening match of the season, Liberty was forced to travel to Richmond, Va., twice to get the game in as a strong storm on August 17 postponed the match to August where the Lady Flames opened the year with a 2-1 victory.
Quote from Head Coach Lang Wedemeyer
"It's a good conference win for sure, after losing and the tie the last two weeks, it's really good for us to be able to get back on the winning track."
Lady Flames News & Notes
- Liberty outshot the Gamecocks 19-9 Thursday night with an 8-4 edge in shots on goal.
- Allison Hansford paced the Lady Flames attack with five shots, followed by Ivy Garner and Ava Goodman with four shots apiece.
- The Lady Flames have outshot their opponents in every game this season.
- DeRuby's score was her team-leading sixth goal of the season. DeRuby also leads the team with 14 points.
- Holland tied a Liberty high with her third game-winning goal of the season, joining Garner and Goodman.
- Bridie Herman recorded her second assist of the season off a throw-in on DeRuby's opening goal. Herman (two assists) led the CUSA with eight assists in 2022.
- Four Lady Flames – Leja, Lena James, Rebekah Earnest and Rachel DeRuby – played a full 90 minutes in Saturday's match. Leja has played every minute of the 2023 season.
Up Next
The Lady Flames then head out for its longest road trip in 2023, heading to El Paso, Texas to take on UTEP on Sunday 3 p.m. ET/1 p.m. MT.
Team Stats
JAX
LIB
Goals
1
2
Shots
9
19
Shots on Goal
4
8
Saves
6
3
Corners
2
2
Fouls
11
7
Scoring Plays

Rachel DeRuby (6)
Assisted By: Ivy Garner , Bridie Herman
GOAL by LIB DeRuby, Rachel Assist by Garner, Ivy and Herman, Bridie.
06:15

Laleh Lonteen (8)
Assisted By: Kylie Wells
GOAL by JAX Lonteen, Laleh Assist by Wells, Kylie.
61:05

Saydie Holland (5)
GOAL by LIB Holland, Saydie.
61:45
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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