Liberty University
9-6, 5-0ASUN
Kennesaw State
2-12, 1-4ASUN
Liberty Downs Kennesaw State 19-5 Thursday, Improves to 5-0 in ASUN Play
4/20/2023 5:57:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
The Lady Flames used an eight goal first quarter to propel themselves past the Kennesaw State Owls 19-5 on Thursday afternoon.
Liberty improves to 9-6 overall on the year and stays unbeaten in the ASUN at 5-0 following the home victory at the Liberty Lacrosse Field. The Lady Flames are seeking their first-ever undefeated ASUN campaign with just two matches remaining. Liberty will host Lindenwood on Saturday for Senior Day before traveling to Delaware State to close out the regular season, April 29.
At the 5:59 mark in the first quarter, senior midfielder Lizzy Ferguson became Liberty's all-time draw control leader with 234 career draw control wins. The previous record was held by Brianna McCaffrey with 233 wins. Ferguson has a total of 133 draw control wins on the season, tallied seven draw controls today and ended the contest with 239 career draws.
Liberty jumped out to an 8-1 lead to end the first quarter and cruised through the rest of the contest. The Lady Flames also outscored the Owls 9-2 in the second half. Cami Merkel (3 g, 3 a) led the squad and matched a career with six points, and Jordan Sheive (3 g, 1a) adding a hat trick of her own.
Defender Hannah Davis notched her first goal of the season and the fourth goal of her Liberty tenure.
The Lady Flames improved to 5-2 playing in front of their home fans and have won eight of their last 10 contests going back to March 14.
Scoring Summary
Liberty Goals: Cami Merkel 3, Jordan Sheive 3, Lizzy Ferguson 2, Mackenzie Lehman 2, Tori Banks 2, Olivia Glaze 2, Katie Colavito 2, Celena Kerr 1, Andrea Colavito 1, Hannah Davis 1
Liberty Assists: Cami Merkel 3, Tori Banks 1, Andrea Colavito 1, Lizzy Ferguson 1, Olivia Glaze 1, Celena Kerr 1, Mackenzie Lehman 1, Kelly Scott 1, Jordan Sheive 1
Kennesaw State Goals: Shannon Harrington 2, Caroline Farley 2, Hannah Davis 1
Kennesaw State Assists: Hannah Davis 1, Shannon Harrington 1
Goalkeepers
W: Taylor Gallarello 8-1, four saves
L: Julia Weiss, 2-11, six saves
Turning Point
Liberty used two scoring runs of four goals each to gain all the separation it needed for the win. Olivia Glaze began the game with her 10th goal of the season, with the Lady Flames following with three more goals. The Owls answered to cut the lead to 4-1 before Liberty went on an additional four-goal run over the final 8:36 of the first quarter
Liberty used seven different goal scorers in the first quarter, including two out of Cami Merkel. The Lady Flames led 8-1 at the end of the first quarter, putting up 14 shots in the frame.
First Half Summary
• Liberty dominated the first quarter offense by scoring eight times on 14 shots.
• The Lady Flames' offense was sparked by eight ground balls and eight draw controls in the quarter.
• The second quarter goal total was 2-2, with the Liberty squad taking a 10-3 lead into halftime.
• The Lady Flames added 12 shots in the second quarter for a total of 26 in the half.
• Goalkeeper Taylor Gallarello played the entire first half, boosting her record to 8-1 on the year. Gallarello added four saves in the half.
Second Half Summary
• Liberty began the second half with another four-goal scoring run. The Lady Flames tacked on five goals in the fourth, with one more four-goal run to end the game.
• The Lady Flames added at least 10 shots in all four quarters, with 10 in the third and 11 in the fourth.
• Goalkeeper Mara Tellers came on in relief of Gallarello, notching two saves, two ground balls and a caused turnover in 30 minutes of play.
Key Stats & Notes
• Along the way of becoming the all-time draw control leader, senior midfielder Lizzy Ferguson tallied two goals and one assist along with seven draw controls and three ground balls.
• Liberty outshot Kennesaw State 47-19 over the course of today's match. Both Cami Merkel and Ferguson led the team with seven shots 15 players adding at least one shot. The 47 shots the Lady Flames attempted are tied for the fifth most in a single game in school history.
• The Lady Flames forced nine caused turnovers to the Owls' five over the afternoon, as Mackenzie Lehman and Tori Banks led the squad with two apiece.
• Liberty scooped up 22 ground balls in the game compared to KSU's 18. Eight Lady Flames recorded multiple ground balls, with Mikayla Coghill and Ferguson each grabbing three. Coghill is up to 93 career ground balls, needing seven to become the 15th player in school history to notch 100 career ground balls.
• The Lady Flames were a solid 15-of-17 (88.2 percent) in clear opportunities compared to KSU's 12-of-24 (50 percent). Liberty was also 2-of-7 on free-position attempts to the Owls' 1-of-4.
• With her four-point day, Jordan Sheive is up to 96 career points (62 g, 34 a). On Saturday, Sheive will vie to become the 14th player in Liberty lacrosse history to reach the century mark for career points.
• Goalkeepers Taylor Gallarello and Mara Tellers combined for six saves on 19 shots (11 on goal).
Up Next
• Liberty will celebrate its 10 seniors on Saturday before the match against Lindenwood (7-7, 2-2 ASUN). First draw is set for 12 p.m. from the Liberty Lacrosse Field.
• The list of seniors includes Mikayla Coghill, Tori Banks, Hannah Davis, Lizzy Ferguson, Jordan Baerga, Andrea Colavito, Grace Loughery, Anna DiRita, Kylie Jones and Lucy Shimek.
• The Lady Flames have yet to face Lindenwood.
