Thursday, October 1
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
8:00 PM ET/7:00 PM CT
Liberty University
9-2-1, 2-0-0
2
at
1
Middle Tennessee
8-3-2, 1-1-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Middle Tenn. | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Liberty Holds Off Middle Tennessee for a 2-1 Road Victory
10/1/2026 10:49:00 PM | Women's Soccer
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Liberty Lady Flames (9-2-1, 2-0 CUSA) handled an upstart Middle Tennessee (8-3-2, 1-1 CUSA) squad on Thursday night, earning a 2-1 triumph on the road. Bazan netted the game-winning goal in the second half, earning her first career tally.
Liberty opens its two-game road trip with a strong outing. The Lady Flames prepare to take on New Mexico State (2-8-2, 1-1 CUSA) on Sunday afternoon.
The Lady Flames extend their winning streak to seven games and their regular-season CUSA unbeaten streak to 17.
The Blue Raiders started the game off strong with the first five shots of the contest. Halle Engle cashed in the first goal of the game on the Lady Flames' first shot attempt in the 25th minute. Defender Maddyson Kerley sent a ball from the defensive zone that Engle aggressively chased down. The forward managed to hold off her defender, setting up her shot past the MTSU goalkeeper.
Playing with the lead, the pace of the game softened as the Lady Flames controlled the action. For the rest of the game, Liberty outshot the home team 19-10.
Liberty gained some cushion in the 59th minute, which proved to be vital. The Lady Flames earned a short corner on a free kick attempt. Carly Keene sent a ball directly to the middle of the 18-yard box, finding a charging Gaby Bazan. The midfielder netted her first career goal, sending a header to the far side of the net, leaving the goalkeeper little chance to react.
The Blue Raiders didn't let up, cutting the lead in half from the CUSA leading scorer, Ania Denham, in the 76th minute. Liberty restricted scoring chances the rest of the way through to hold on for the triumph.
Scoring Summary
25' – Liberty – Halle Engle (5) – Maddyson Kerley
59' – Liberty – Gaby Bazan (1) – Carly Keene
76' – MTSU – Ania Denham (8)
Lady Flames News & Notes
Lady Flames News & Notes
The Lady Flames prepare to take on New Mexico State (2-8-2, 1-1 CUSA) on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET/1 p.m. MT. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Liberty opens its two-game road trip with a strong outing. The Lady Flames prepare to take on New Mexico State (2-8-2, 1-1 CUSA) on Sunday afternoon.
The Lady Flames extend their winning streak to seven games and their regular-season CUSA unbeaten streak to 17.
The Blue Raiders started the game off strong with the first five shots of the contest. Halle Engle cashed in the first goal of the game on the Lady Flames' first shot attempt in the 25th minute. Defender Maddyson Kerley sent a ball from the defensive zone that Engle aggressively chased down. The forward managed to hold off her defender, setting up her shot past the MTSU goalkeeper.
Playing with the lead, the pace of the game softened as the Lady Flames controlled the action. For the rest of the game, Liberty outshot the home team 19-10.
Liberty gained some cushion in the 59th minute, which proved to be vital. The Lady Flames earned a short corner on a free kick attempt. Carly Keene sent a ball directly to the middle of the 18-yard box, finding a charging Gaby Bazan. The midfielder netted her first career goal, sending a header to the far side of the net, leaving the goalkeeper little chance to react.
The Blue Raiders didn't let up, cutting the lead in half from the CUSA leading scorer, Ania Denham, in the 76th minute. Liberty restricted scoring chances the rest of the way through to hold on for the triumph.
Scoring Summary
25' – Liberty – Halle Engle (5) – Maddyson Kerley
59' – Liberty – Gaby Bazan (1) – Carly Keene
76' – MTSU – Ania Denham (8)
Lady Flames News & Notes
- Liberty extends its winning streak to seven games. Entering the night, the streak ranked as the third-longest among Division l programs.
- The Lady Flames also extended their unbeaten streak against CUSA opponents to 17 games (13-0-4). It is also their eighth consecutive regular-season victory against a CUSA foe.
- Engle scored her team-leading fifth goal of the season. She also paces Liberty with 10 points.
- Liberty secured the victory in the absence of starters Avenley Monteith and Lauren Littleton. Bazan made her first career start.
- Goalkeeper Ainsley Leja (7-1-1) earned her fourth straight victory with six saves, conceding a single goal. She now sports season averages of a 0.72 goals-against average and an .837 save percentage.
- Liberty outshot Middle Tennessee 19-15 with a 10-7 edge in shots on goal. Engle led all players with three shots on goal.
- Midfielder Haley Noblit played a full 90-minute game alongside Leja, Kerley, Sallie Garner and Dani Gubbels.
- Liberty (3-0) has yet to fall against MTSU since joining the conference.
Lady Flames News & Notes
The Lady Flames prepare to take on New Mexico State (2-8-2, 1-1 CUSA) on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET/1 p.m. MT. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
F/M
/ Women's SoccerTeam Stats
LIBE
MTSU
Goals
2
1
Shots
19
15
Shots on Goal
10
7
Saves
6
8
Corners
2
2
Fouls
13
3
Scoring Plays
Halle Engle (5)
Assisted By: Maddyson Kerley
GOAL by LIBE Engle, Halle Assist by Kerley, Maddyson.
24:57
Gaby Bazan (1)
Assisted By: Carly Keene
GOAL by LIBE Bazan, Gaby Assist by Keene, Carly.
58:11
Ania Denham (8)
GOAL by MTSU Denham, Ania.
75:29
Game Leaders
fwd
Shots
4
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
mid
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
mid
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
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