Sunday, September 8
Lynchburg, Va.
1:00 PM ET
Liberty University
(2-1)
1
vs
2
Virginia
(3-0)
1
2
3
4
F
Virginia
0
1
0
1
2
Liberty
0
0
0
1
1
No. 11 Liberty Edged 2-1 By No. 3 Virginia in Sunday’s Home Opener
9/8/2024 3:49:00 PM | Field Hockey
LYNCHBURG, Va. – No. 11-ranked Liberty was edged 2-1 by No. 3 Virginia in Sunday afternoon's home opener at the Liberty Field Hockey Field.
After the Lady Flames' Josefina Tomasi tied the score at 1-1 early in the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers' Jans Croon scored on a penalty corner in the 56th minute to secure the victory for the guests.
Liberty suffers its first loss of the 2024 season and falls to 2-1. Meanwhile, Virginia stays unbeaten and improves to 3-0.
Scoring Summary
18' – VIRGINIA – Suze Leemans (unassisted) | Penalty Corner
49' – LIBERTY – Josefina Tomasi (unassisted)
56' – VIRGINIA – Jans Croon (Dani Mendez-Trendler and Emily Field) | Penalty Corner
Goalkeepers
W: Tyler Kennedy 3-0, six saves
L: Michaela Skinner 2-1, four saves
Turning Point
UVA held a 1-0 edge after three quarters before Liberty tied the game at 1-all in the 49th minute. Lady Flames freshman Dara Semmartin sent an aerial pass to fellow freshman Josefina Tomasi. Tomasi dribbled to her left inside the circle and fired a shot past Cavaliers goalkeeper Tyler Kennedy for her first career goal at the 48:48 mark.
Virginia earned three penalty corners in the fourth period. The final corner resulted in the game-winning goal from Jans Croon at the 55:41 mark, a bouncing ball that found its way past Liberty netminder Michaela Skinner.
Key Stats & Notes
The Lady Flames will be back in action on Friday at home for a non-conference bout against the William & Mary Tribe (0-4). Match time is 3 p.m. at the Liberty Field Hockey Field.
In 2023, Liberty claimed a 2-0 victory over the Tribe on the road. The Lady Flames are 3-2 all-time versus William & Mary.
After the Lady Flames' Josefina Tomasi tied the score at 1-1 early in the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers' Jans Croon scored on a penalty corner in the 56th minute to secure the victory for the guests.
Liberty suffers its first loss of the 2024 season and falls to 2-1. Meanwhile, Virginia stays unbeaten and improves to 3-0.
Scoring Summary
18' – VIRGINIA – Suze Leemans (unassisted) | Penalty Corner
49' – LIBERTY – Josefina Tomasi (unassisted)
56' – VIRGINIA – Jans Croon (Dani Mendez-Trendler and Emily Field) | Penalty Corner
49' | ????????!
— Liberty Field Hockey (@LibertyFH) September 8, 2024
Memorable, impactful, and perfectly timed... all words used to describe Josefina Tomasi's FIRST career goal ??
No. 11 Liberty 1 | No. 3 Virginia 1#RelentlessPursuit #Pursuit #RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/Ii47XVqDit
Goalkeepers
W: Tyler Kennedy 3-0, six saves
L: Michaela Skinner 2-1, four saves
Turning Point
UVA held a 1-0 edge after three quarters before Liberty tied the game at 1-all in the 49th minute. Lady Flames freshman Dara Semmartin sent an aerial pass to fellow freshman Josefina Tomasi. Tomasi dribbled to her left inside the circle and fired a shot past Cavaliers goalkeeper Tyler Kennedy for her first career goal at the 48:48 mark.
Virginia earned three penalty corners in the fourth period. The final corner resulted in the game-winning goal from Jans Croon at the 55:41 mark, a bouncing ball that found its way past Liberty netminder Michaela Skinner.
Key Stats & Notes
- Virginia outshot Liberty 14-9 and held a 7-3 advantage in penalty corners. Despite being outshot, the Lady Flames had a 7-6 edge in shots on goal.
- Eight of the nine all-time meetings between Liberty and Virginia have been decided by exactly one goal. The Lady Flames are 2-7 all-time against the Cavaliers.
- Lady Flames redshirt sophomore Michaela Skinner matched a season high with four saves.
- This is the first time this season Liberty surrendered multiple goals in a game. It is also the first time the Lady Flames have not scored two or more goals in a match this year.
- Virginia midfielder Suze Leemans scored the first goal of the game early in the second quarter (17:04 mark). Leemans' marker came off a rebound on a penalty corner for the guests. UVA held the 1-0 lead for over 30 minutes of game time until Liberty's Tomasi struck early in the fourth period.
- Tomasi led Liberty with three shots, all on goal. Croon paced UVA with four shots (one on goal).
- Lady Flames freshman Malena Magnano saw her first collegiate action on Sunday.
- This was Liberty's first home loss since falling 2-1 to No. 7 Virginia on Oct. 18, 2022. The Lady Flames were a perfect 9-0 at home in 2023.
The Lady Flames will be back in action on Friday at home for a non-conference bout against the William & Mary Tribe (0-4). Match time is 3 p.m. at the Liberty Field Hockey Field.
In 2023, Liberty claimed a 2-0 victory over the Tribe on the road. The Lady Flames are 3-2 all-time versus William & Mary.
Team Stats
VA
LIBERTY
Goals
2
1
Shots
14
9
Shots on Goal
6
7
Saves
6
4
Corners
7
3
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
0
0
Scoring Plays
Suze Leemans (3)
Scored on rebound of blocked corner shot
17:04
TOMASI, Josefina (1)
Reverse from left side
48:48
Jans Croon (1)
Assisted By: Dani Mendez-Trendler , Emily Field
Shot from the center, bouncing ball
55:41
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Field Hockey
D
/ Field Hockey
GK
/ Field HockeyM
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