Liberty University
5-5, 1-0ASUN
Jacksonville
5-6, 1-1ASUN
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 12 |
| Jacksonville | 3 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 10 |
Liberty Kicks Off ASUN Play with Historic Win at No. 21 Jacksonville
4/1/2023 7:23:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
There was no fooling around in Jacksonville for the Lady Flames as they kicked off ASUN Conference play in style with a historic win over No. 21 Jacksonville, Saturday afternoon.
The 12-10 victory was Liberty's (5-5, 1-0 ASUN) first-ever win over the Dolphins and marked the program's first-ever victory over a nationally ranked team. Before today, the Lady Flames were winless in their first 10 tries against the Dolphins (5-6, 1-1 ASUN).
Liberty used a big second quarter to secure the two-goal victory. They held the Dolphins scoreless while adding three goals to boost their lead to 8-3 going into halftime.
Jacksonville came out firing during the second half, but Liberty held them off by not allowing them to tie the game during the final 30 minutes.
Liberty was led in scoring by Mackenzie Lehman (four goals), who scored her fourth and final game at the 4:36 mark of the fourth to put the visitors up by two. The remainder of the contest was a defensive battle, allowing Liberty to claim the victory.
Liberty goalkeeper Taylor Gallarello shined in the biggest moments for the Lady Flames, saving 14 of 24 shots on goal through the game.
Liberty has faced five nationally ranked opponents during a challenging 2023 schedule, including today's conference-opening contest at Jacksonville.
Scoring Summary
Liberty Goals: Mackenzie Lehman 4, Tori Banks 3, Cami Merkel 2, Jordan Sheive 2, Kelly Scott 1
Liberty Assists: Olivia Glaze 1, Cami Merkel 1, Kelly Scott 1
Jacksonville Goals: Sarah Elms 3, Hudson Gentile 3, Molly Brock 1, Lauren Ellis 1, Lauren Craft 1, Ainsley Scruggs 1
Jacksonville Assists: Brianna Samuels 1, Molly Brock 1, Lauren Ellis 1, Sarah Elms 1, Lauren Craft 1
Goalkeepers
W: Taylor Gallarello 3-0, 14 saves
L: Addy Tysdal 5-6, seven saves
Turning Point
Leading 5-3 after the first quarter, Liberty would hold Jacksonville scoreless during the second quarter. Mackenzie Lehman added two of her four goals in the game and Kelly Scott added another to give Liberty a 3-0 advantage during the quarter. Liberty's second quarter defense got four saves from Gallarello, while Jacksonville would turn the ball over six times. The Flames led 8-3 going into the second half.
First Half Summary
- Liberty came out on fire, scoring the first three goals of the afternoon. Tori Banks adding her two of her three goals during the opening three minutes of the game.
- Jacksonville narrowed the lead to 3-2 before Liberty answered back with two of its own to push the lead back to 5-2.
- The Lady Flames took an 8-3 lead into halftime after winning the second quarter in scoring, 3-0.
- Liberty rattled off 20 shots during the first half to constantly keep pressure on the Jacksonville defense.
Second Half Summary
- The third quarter favored the Dolphins 5-2, with Liberty taking a 10-8 lead going into the fourth quarter.
- Jacksonville would creep as close as one, 11-10 at 9:19, but Liberty added an insurance goal via free position goal from Lehman at 4:36 to ultimately put the game out of the Dolphins' reach.
- The Dolphins outshot the Lady Flames 12-8 in the second half.
Key Stats & Notes
- The two teams each won 13 draw controls in the match. Lizzy Ferguson led the way with seven wins for Liberty, while Tori Banks added five. Jacksonville's Molly Brock led both teams with 10 draw controls.
- With her first draw control in the game, Ferguson became the program's single-season leader. She now has 86 on the season.
- Liberty goalkeeper Taylor Gallarello (3-0) would have a career day, playing a full 60 minutes for the first time in her Liberty career. The sophomore snagged a season-high 14 saves in net.
- Mackenzie Lehman earned four goals on the day along with two caused turnovers. The junior leads Liberty in goals for the season with 21.
- Gallarello led Liberty in ground balls with five, with seven other Lady Flames added a ground ball in the contest. Total ground balls favored the Dolphins 22-16.
- The two teams were even in forcing caused turnovers at eight a piece. Lehman and Madeline Klunder each had two caused turnovers, with four other Lady Flames recording at least one.
- Jacksonville edged Liberty in shots on the afternoon, 29-28. Tori Banks led the Lady Flames with six shots followed by Lehman with five. Cami Merkel and Olivia Glaze each added four.
- Liberty cashed in from free position, converting on three of its six shots, including the final goal of the day by Lehman.
- Liberty's Delaney Donahue recorded her first career draw control in the match. The freshman also added a ground ball in the game.
- The Lady Flames improve to 2-4 on the road on the road in 2023, with the previous five matches coming against ranked opponents. Liberty's previous road win came in a 13-7 defeat of Pitt on March 14.
Up Next
- Liberty heads back South on Thursday as they travel to Conway, S.C. to take on 7-3 Coastal Carolina. First draw is set for noon from Brooks Stadium.
- The Lady Flames look to continue their success against the Chanticleers, currently standing at 7-3 when facing the program all-time.
