Sunday, October 29
Ruston, La.
2:00 PM ET/1:00 PM CT
Liberty University
14-2-1, 5-2-1
4
at
1
Louisiana Tech
5-10-3, 2-4-2
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Louisiana Tech | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Goodman Scores Twice as Liberty Storms Past Louisiana Tech, 4-1
10/29/2023 5:24:00 PM | Women's Soccer
RUSTON, La. – The Liberty women's soccer team exploded for four first-half goals in a 4-1 takedown of Louisiana Tech on the road Sunday. Liberty finishes the regular season with a 14-2-1 (5-2-1 CUSA) record.
With the result, Liberty secured the No. 2 seed and a bye in the Conference USA Women's Soccer Championship. The CUSA Championship begins on Wednesday with Liberty debuting on Friday in the semifinals.
Ava Goodman got the scoring started by capitalizing on a misplay from the Bulldogs' keeper. Goodman jumped in front of a clear attempt, knocking the ball straight into the back of the net.
Goodman added a second consecutive score just three minutes later. Bridie Herman put a ball to Goodman that the forward took a long shot at, stoning the keeper by banking the goal off the opposite post.
Saydie Holland deposited the third goal of the game off a cross from Sallie Garner. Garner's cross was just out of reach of the diving keeper, leaving Holland wide open for the put-in.
Claire Valentine scored her first collegiate goal in the 28th minute. Rebekah Earnest drove a free-kick into the penalty box that bounced off a LA Tech defender. Avenley Monteith cranked a shot that was saved but it was rebounded directly to Valentine for the score.
Goalkeeper Ainsley Leja made an incredible diving save to preserve a 4-0 lead in the second half. The save would end up being her only save of the match. Louisiana Tech notched a goal a minute later thanks to Kyra Taylor's ninth score of the season.
Liberty is set to play the winner of Wednesday's matchup of Western Kentucky and Louisiana Tech.
"I thought it was a great start to the game. We came out with a lot of energy and focus. We really struggled in and around the goal lately, so to get four goals in the first half was fantastic. I thought we did a relatively good job of seeing the game out through the second half and it is great to get a bye to the next round."
Scoring Summary
9' – Liberty – Ava Goodman
12' – Liberty – Ava Goodman (Bridie Herman)
22' – Liberty – Saydie Holland (Sallie Garner)
28' – Liberty – Claire Valentine (Avenley Monteith)
66' – Louisiana Tech – Kyra Taylor (Flavie Dube)
Lady Flames News & Notes
Up Next
Liberty returns to Ruston, La. to take on the winner of Wednesday's matchup between No. 3 seed Western Kentucky and No. 6 seed Louisiana Tech. Liberty's matchup is set for 7 p.m. CT/ 8 p.m. ET at Robert Mack Caruthers Field on Friday.
With the result, Liberty secured the No. 2 seed and a bye in the Conference USA Women's Soccer Championship. The CUSA Championship begins on Wednesday with Liberty debuting on Friday in the semifinals.
Ava Goodman got the scoring started by capitalizing on a misplay from the Bulldogs' keeper. Goodman jumped in front of a clear attempt, knocking the ball straight into the back of the net.
Goodman added a second consecutive score just three minutes later. Bridie Herman put a ball to Goodman that the forward took a long shot at, stoning the keeper by banking the goal off the opposite post.
Saydie Holland deposited the third goal of the game off a cross from Sallie Garner. Garner's cross was just out of reach of the diving keeper, leaving Holland wide open for the put-in.
Claire Valentine scored her first collegiate goal in the 28th minute. Rebekah Earnest drove a free-kick into the penalty box that bounced off a LA Tech defender. Avenley Monteith cranked a shot that was saved but it was rebounded directly to Valentine for the score.
Goalkeeper Ainsley Leja made an incredible diving save to preserve a 4-0 lead in the second half. The save would end up being her only save of the match. Louisiana Tech notched a goal a minute later thanks to Kyra Taylor's ninth score of the season.
Liberty is set to play the winner of Wednesday's matchup of Western Kentucky and Louisiana Tech.
Quote from Head Coach Lang WedemeyerWhat. A. Save.
— Liberty Women's Soccer (@LibertyWSoccer) October 29, 2023
Ainsley Leja stretches for an incredible grab.
Liberty 4 | La. Tech 0 pic.twitter.com/sApWWS7ANZ
"I thought it was a great start to the game. We came out with a lot of energy and focus. We really struggled in and around the goal lately, so to get four goals in the first half was fantastic. I thought we did a relatively good job of seeing the game out through the second half and it is great to get a bye to the next round."
Scoring Summary
9' – Liberty – Ava Goodman
12' – Liberty – Ava Goodman (Bridie Herman)
22' – Liberty – Saydie Holland (Sallie Garner)
28' – Liberty – Claire Valentine (Avenley Monteith)
66' – Louisiana Tech – Kyra Taylor (Flavie Dube)
Lady Flames News & Notes
- Liberty dominated the shot total in the first half 10-3 and 13-6 for the game. Liberty edged LA Tech, 7-2 in shots on goal.
- Goodman's two-score game makes her Liberty's third player with a multi-score game this season, joining Allison Hansford and Saydie Holland.
- Saydie Holland's goal creates a three-way tie for the Liberty lead with six goals. Ava Goodman and Rachel DeRuby have six goals apiece.
- Three players, DeRuby (two assists), Ivy Garner (five goals, four assists) and Holland (two assists), are tied for the team lead with 14 points.
- Valentine's score makes her the 10th different Lady Flame to score a goal this season.
- Goalkeeper Ainsley Leja recorded her 16th game allowing one goal or less this season. The keeper's goals against average (GAA) moves to 0.53 and her save percentage increases to .816 for 2023.
- By playing a full 90-minute match on Sunday, Leja played every minute of the season for Liberty. The keeper has recorded 1,530 minutes in goal for the Lady Flames.
- Liberty checked in 23 total players in Sunday's contest.
- Liberty improved its road record to 8-0-1 this season.
Up Next
Liberty returns to Ruston, La. to take on the winner of Wednesday's matchup between No. 3 seed Western Kentucky and No. 6 seed Louisiana Tech. Liberty's matchup is set for 7 p.m. CT/ 8 p.m. ET at Robert Mack Caruthers Field on Friday.
Team Stats
LIB
LAT
Goals
4
1
Shots
13
6
Shots on Goal
7
2
Saves
1
3
Corners
8
1
Fouls
10
7
Scoring Plays
Ava Goodman (6)
GOAL by LIB Goodman, Ava.
09:00
Ava Goodman (6)
Assisted By: Bridie Herman
GOAL by LIB Goodman, Ava Assist by Herman, Bridie.
11:54
Saydie Holland (6)
Assisted By: Sallie Garner
GOAL by LIB Holland, Saydie Assist by Garner, Sallie.
21:05
Claire Valentine (1)
Assisted By: Avenley Monteith
GOAL by LIB Valentine, Claire Assist by Monteith, Avenley.
27:42
Kyra Taylor (9)
Assisted By: Flavie Dube
GOAL by LAT Taylor, Kyra Assist by Dube, Flavie.
65:03
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's SoccerMF
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerMF
/ Women's SoccerF
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Tuesday, November 11
Briana Myers & Ivy Garner Talk About Preparing For Clemson
Tuesday, November 11
Coach Wedemeyer & Halle Engle React To The NCAA Women's Soccer Selection Show
Monday, November 10