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Sunday, October 5
Miami, Fla.
1:00 PM ET
Liberty University
7-3-4, 2-0-2
2
at
1
FIU
6-3-3, 3-1-0
1
2
F
Liberty
1
1
2
FIU
0
1
1
Liberty Avenges CUSA Final, Tops FIU 2-1 in Miami
10/5/2025 4:19:00 PM | Women's Soccer
MIAMI, Fla. – The Lady Flames (7-3-4, 2-0-2 CUSA) entered familiar territory in Miami, Fla., on Sunday afternoon and came out victorious with a 2-1 triumph over FIU (6-3-3, 3-1 CUSA). Liberty rebounds in South Beach after falling to the Panthers 1-0 in the 2024 Conference USA Championship final.
Entering Sunday's contest, Liberty was winless in three contests against FIU (0-2-1). The Lady Flames were also seeking their first goal facing the Panthers.
Isabella Wedemeyer opened the scoring in the first half in the 36th minute. Freshman Keelyn Eslinger sent in a cross that deflected off a Panther's back foot in the penalty box. The ball was kicked out to Wedemeyer, who took one touch before blasting a shot into the near side of the net. The score was the first of the season for the midfielder.
Liberty kept its foot on the gas throughout the game. The Lady Flames outshot the Panthers 10-9, but held an 8-3 edge in corner opportunities.
The Lady Flames earned a needed insurance goal from Margaret Garner in the 80th minute. From a goal kick, defender Maddyson Kerley sent a long ball on a rope to the attacking end of the field. Garner ran past her defender, making a slight touch in front of the goal to open an empty net. The score was the sophomore's first of her Liberty career.
Less than 30 seconds later, FIU bounced back with a tally of its own from Chinatsu Kaio in the 81st minute.
FIU pressed during the final 10 minutes of the game, but Liberty restricted any dangerous chance from developing.
Liberty improves to 2-0-2 in CUSA play and to 5-0-2 on the road this season.
Scoring Summary
36' – Liberty – Isabella Wedemeyer (1) – Keelyn Eslinger
80' – Liberty – Margaret Garner (1) – Maddyson Kerley, Peyton Huber
81' – FIU – Chinatsu Kaio (3)
Lady Flames News & Notes
Up Next
Liberty prepares for its second and third games in six days, hosting Kennesaw State on Thursday (6 p.m.) and Jacksonville State on Saturday (6 p.m.). Both contests from Osborne Stadium will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
Entering Sunday's contest, Liberty was winless in three contests against FIU (0-2-1). The Lady Flames were also seeking their first goal facing the Panthers.
Isabella Wedemeyer opened the scoring in the first half in the 36th minute. Freshman Keelyn Eslinger sent in a cross that deflected off a Panther's back foot in the penalty box. The ball was kicked out to Wedemeyer, who took one touch before blasting a shot into the near side of the net. The score was the first of the season for the midfielder.
Liberty kept its foot on the gas throughout the game. The Lady Flames outshot the Panthers 10-9, but held an 8-3 edge in corner opportunities.
The Lady Flames earned a needed insurance goal from Margaret Garner in the 80th minute. From a goal kick, defender Maddyson Kerley sent a long ball on a rope to the attacking end of the field. Garner ran past her defender, making a slight touch in front of the goal to open an empty net. The score was the sophomore's first of her Liberty career.
Less than 30 seconds later, FIU bounced back with a tally of its own from Chinatsu Kaio in the 81st minute.
FIU pressed during the final 10 minutes of the game, but Liberty restricted any dangerous chance from developing.
Liberty improves to 2-0-2 in CUSA play and to 5-0-2 on the road this season.
Izzy sparks the offense in the first half
— Liberty Women's Soccer (@LibertyWSoccer) October 5, 2025
36' LU 1 - FIU 0 pic.twitter.com/RJWyekZZUj
Scoring Summary
36' – Liberty – Isabella Wedemeyer (1) – Keelyn Eslinger
80' – Liberty – Margaret Garner (1) – Maddyson Kerley, Peyton Huber
81' – FIU – Chinatsu Kaio (3)
Huber ?? Kerley ?? Garner
— Liberty Women's Soccer (@LibertyWSoccer) October 5, 2025
That's the first score of Margaret's career??
80' LU 2 - FIU 0
?? ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/6bX9YkthCX
Lady Flames News & Notes
- The two programs tallied an even three shots on goal. Halle Engle led all players with three shots.
- In the first 20 minutes of the contest, Liberty registered four corner attempts.
- Goalkeeper Peyton Huber (2-1-2, 2-0-2 CUSA) made her fourth consecutive start on Sunday, recording two saves. Huber sports a 0.60 goals-against average and a .750 save percentage on 36 shots faced this season.
- Three Lady Flames, Huber and defenders Lauren Littleton and Maddyson Kerley, played a full 90-minute game.
- Huber, Eslinger and Kerley each recorded their first career assists.
Up Next
Liberty prepares for its second and third games in six days, hosting Kennesaw State on Thursday (6 p.m.) and Jacksonville State on Saturday (6 p.m.). Both contests from Osborne Stadium will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
Team Stats
LIB
FIU
Goals
2
1
Shots
10
9
Shots on Goal
3
3
Saves
2
1
Corners
8
3
Fouls
8
9
Scoring Plays
Isabella Wedemeyer (1)
Assisted By: Keelyn Eslinger
GOAL by LIB Wedemeyer, Isabella Assist by Eslinger, Keelyn.
35:16
Margaret Garner (1)
Assisted By: Maddyson Kerley , Peyton Huber
GOAL by LIB Garner, Margaret Assist by Kerley, Maddyson and Huber, Peyton.
79:44
Chinatsu Kaio (3)
GOAL by FIU Kaio, Chinatsu.
80:05
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerGK
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's SoccerMF
/ Women's SoccerGameday with Liberty Women's Soccer
Wednesday, September 10
Coach Wedemeyer & Halle Engle Talk About The Win Over Queens
Friday, September 05
Liberty vs Virginia Tech Women's Soccer Highlights
Friday, August 29
Coach Wedemeyer Talks About The Tie With Virginia Tech
Friday, August 29