Wednesday, February 18
Lynchburg, Va.
4:00 PM ET
Liberty University
0-3
8
vs
17
No. 24 Virginia
1-3
1
2
3
4
F
Virginia
5
3
4
5
17
Liberty
0
2
2
4
8
Liberty Comes Up Short 17-8 Against No. 24 Virginia
2/18/2026 7:15:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Liberty lacrosse team (0-3) suffered a 17-8 defeat while No. 24 Virginia (1-3) picked up its first triumph of the season.
The Cavaliers' Madison Alaimo starred on the field with a game-high seven points with four goals and three assists.
Despite earning the loss, Liberty goalkeeper Rachel Hines recorded a career-high 16 goals in the performance. Her previous career-high of 15 saves was tied with the Lady Flames' 2025 season opener at Virginia.
Two Lady Flames, Kendall Coss and Amelia Loughery, recorded their first goals of the season.
Young was a standout with two goals and an assist, converting both free-position shots. Hines was valiant in goal, making 16 saves on 37 shots. Nesci and Colavito contributed with a goal and an assist each, maintaining pressure on Virginia.
Liberty Goals: Olivia Young 2 ; Nicole Arriola 1 ; Katie Colavito 1 ; Kendall Coss 1 ; Amelia Loughery 1 ; Sophia Nesci 1 Ava Rajala 1
Liberty Assists: Katie Colavito 1 ; Sophia Nesci 1 ; Ava Rajala 1 ; Olivia Young 1
Virginia Goals: Madison Alaimo 4 ; Addi Foster 3 ; Jayden Piraino 2 ; Fiona Allen 1 ; Katie Campel 1 ; Jenna Dinardo 1 ; Cady Flaherty 1 ; Raleigh Foster 1 ; Kate Galica 1 ; Gabby Laverghetta 1 ; Livy Laverghetta 1
Virginia Assists: Madison Alaimo 3 ; Kate Galica 2 ; Megan Rocklein 2 ; Livy Laverghetta 1 .
First Quarter
The Cavaliers came out firing, with Jenna Dinardo opening the scoring from a free position attempt at 13:17. Madison Alaimo quickly added two more, one set up by Kate Galica at 6:34 and another unassisted at 3:00. Galica then scored herself at 1:25. Virginia's Addi Foster closed the quarter with a goal at 00:25, putting Liberty into an early 5-0 hole.
Second Quarter
Sophia Nesci put Liberty on the board with a man-up goal, assisted by Katie Colavito. Virginia countered with a free position goal from Foster. Liberty kept the pressure with a key free position goal by Nicole Arriola. However, Virginia extended their lead to 8-2 by halftime with two more goals, including another from Alaimo.
Third Quarter
The Cavaliers started the third with a man-up goal by Raleigh Foster. Liberty's Young answered with a free position goal, narrowing the gap. Virginia's Galica dominated the draw controls and facilitated goals to Livy Laverghetta and Foster. Liberty's Colavito struck back, but Virginia responded with a goal from Gabby Laverghetta. The quarter ended with Virginia ahead 12-4.
Fourth Quarter
Virginia opened the final quarter with another Alaimo goal, assisted by Galica. Liberty fought back as Amelia Loughery scored her first goal of the season, sparking a glimmer of hope. Young then added her second of the game from a free position opportunity. Virginia's Jayden Piraino and Fiona Allen capitalized on free position attempts, expanding their lead to 16-6. Liberty's Ava Rajala and Kendall Coss, who scored her first of the season, completed the late push.
Lady Flames News & Notes
Up Next
The Lady Flames (0-1) seek their first triumph of the season, hosting Richmond (2-1) on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. at the Liberty Lacrosse Field.
The Cavaliers' Madison Alaimo starred on the field with a game-high seven points with four goals and three assists.
Despite earning the loss, Liberty goalkeeper Rachel Hines recorded a career-high 16 goals in the performance. Her previous career-high of 15 saves was tied with the Lady Flames' 2025 season opener at Virginia.
Two Lady Flames, Kendall Coss and Amelia Loughery, recorded their first goals of the season.
Young was a standout with two goals and an assist, converting both free-position shots. Hines was valiant in goal, making 16 saves on 37 shots. Nesci and Colavito contributed with a goal and an assist each, maintaining pressure on Virginia.
Liberty Goals: Olivia Young 2 ; Nicole Arriola 1 ; Katie Colavito 1 ; Kendall Coss 1 ; Amelia Loughery 1 ; Sophia Nesci 1 Ava Rajala 1
Liberty Assists: Katie Colavito 1 ; Sophia Nesci 1 ; Ava Rajala 1 ; Olivia Young 1
Virginia Goals: Madison Alaimo 4 ; Addi Foster 3 ; Jayden Piraino 2 ; Fiona Allen 1 ; Katie Campel 1 ; Jenna Dinardo 1 ; Cady Flaherty 1 ; Raleigh Foster 1 ; Kate Galica 1 ; Gabby Laverghetta 1 ; Livy Laverghetta 1
Virginia Assists: Madison Alaimo 3 ; Kate Galica 2 ; Megan Rocklein 2 ; Livy Laverghetta 1 .
First Quarter
The Cavaliers came out firing, with Jenna Dinardo opening the scoring from a free position attempt at 13:17. Madison Alaimo quickly added two more, one set up by Kate Galica at 6:34 and another unassisted at 3:00. Galica then scored herself at 1:25. Virginia's Addi Foster closed the quarter with a goal at 00:25, putting Liberty into an early 5-0 hole.
Second Quarter
Sophia Nesci put Liberty on the board with a man-up goal, assisted by Katie Colavito. Virginia countered with a free position goal from Foster. Liberty kept the pressure with a key free position goal by Nicole Arriola. However, Virginia extended their lead to 8-2 by halftime with two more goals, including another from Alaimo.
Third Quarter
The Cavaliers started the third with a man-up goal by Raleigh Foster. Liberty's Young answered with a free position goal, narrowing the gap. Virginia's Galica dominated the draw controls and facilitated goals to Livy Laverghetta and Foster. Liberty's Colavito struck back, but Virginia responded with a goal from Gabby Laverghetta. The quarter ended with Virginia ahead 12-4.
Fourth Quarter
Virginia opened the final quarter with another Alaimo goal, assisted by Galica. Liberty fought back as Amelia Loughery scored her first goal of the season, sparking a glimmer of hope. Young then added her second of the game from a free position opportunity. Virginia's Jayden Piraino and Fiona Allen capitalized on free position attempts, expanding their lead to 16-6. Liberty's Ava Rajala and Kendall Coss, who scored her first of the season, completed the late push.
Lady Flames News & Notes
- The Cavaliers outshot Liberty 37-22 and 25-8 in shots on goal.
- Without Ava Menna taking draw controls, Liberty tried multiple Lady Flames in the role. Virginia out-drew Liberty 18-9 as Nina Gray paced Liberty with eight draws.
- The game saw eight free-position goals, with Liberty going 3-of-7 in its attempts.
- Colavito led the team with four ground balls.
- Hines recorded her ninth career game with at least 12 saves.
- Liberty begins the season with an 0-3 record for the first time since 2015.
- Six different Lady Flames recorded a caused turnover, none had more than one as Virginia held an 8-6 advantage.
Up Next
The Lady Flames (0-1) seek their first triumph of the season, hosting Richmond (2-1) on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. at the Liberty Lacrosse Field.
Team Stats
VIRGINIA
LIBERTY
Shots
37
22
Turnovers
10
15
Caused Turnovers
8
6
Draw Controls
18
9
Free-Position Shots
8
7
Ground Balls
19
13
Game Leaders
G
2
A
1
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
0
G
1
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-60
GB
0
CT
0
G
1
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
1
A
1
FO
-
Pen
-180
GB
4
CT
1
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's LacrosseM
/ Women's LacrosseM
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's LacrosseA
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