Late Goal Drops Liberty in 2-1 Loss at No. 8 Clemson

CLEMSON, S.C. – The Liberty women's soccer team's season comes to a close with a 2-1 loss at No. 8 seed Clemson (8-5-5) on Friday night in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Women's Soccer Championship. Liberty finishes the year 14-4-4 with a CUSA tournament and a share of the CUSA Regular Season title.

Clemson struck first despite Liberty maintaining the majority of possession out of the gate. The Tigers capitalized on a second-chance opportunity in the 19^th minute on a corner kick. Celmson's Elle Bissinger turned in a header from just in front of the frame.

Less than a minute later, Ivy Garner responded with her 16^th score of the season. Halle Engle kicked the ball ahead to Garner on a turnover in Liberty's defensive zone. The senior made a nifty touch around one Tiger and avoided the tackle from another to get behind the back line. Entering the penalty area, Garner deposited a shot to the left side of the goal around a charging goalkeeper.

Clemson took the late lead in the 82^nd minute from Taylor Leib. In another second chance opportunity, this time off a cross. The ball popped free in the penalty area to a charging Leib, who sent the ball just under Liberty goalkeeper Peyton Huber on the near side.

Liberty falls in the first round of the NCAA Championship for the second time in the past three seasons (2-1 loss at No. 4 Georgia, 2023).

The Tigers advance into the second round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship and will take on No. 1 seed Vanderbilt.

Scoring Summary
19' – Clemson – Elle Bissinger (3) – Neely Kerr
19' – Liberty – Ivy Garner (16) – Halle Engle
82' – Clemson – Taylor Lieb (3) – Juju Harris, Renee Lyles

Lady Flames News & Notes

Clemson outshot Liberty 10-6 but only 6-5 in shots on goal. Garner unleashed a game-high four shots.
Garner's goal extended her goal-scoring streak to seven consecutive games. In the last eight contests, the senior totaled nine goals and four assists.
Garner accounts for two of Liberty's three goals in the NCAA Championship. She also scored in the 2-1 loss at No. 4 Georgia in 2023.
Garner likely concludes her Liberty career with 81 games played and ranks second in program history in all-time goals (34), assists (23) and points (91).
Garner finished one goal shy of tying the single-season goals record held by Nancy Davis with 17 in 1999.
Liberty earned the majority of corners in the contest with a 7-3 advantage.
Six Lady Flames, including all four defenders, Huber and Bri Myers, played a full 90-minute performance.
Peyton Huber (9-2-2) with two goals allowed and three saves, finishes the year with a program record 0.53 goals-against average. She concludes the year with a .759 save percentage with 22 saves on 72 total shots and six shutouts.

Schedule

Late Goal Drops Liberty in 2-1 Loss at No. 8 Clemson

Team Stats

Ivy Garner

Halle Engle

Players Mentioned

Halle Engle

Ivy Garner

Peyton Huber