Wednesday, March 11
Lynchburg, Va.
4:00 PM ET
Liberty University
1-6
4
vs
16
James Madison
4-4
1
2
3
4
F
James Madison
5
3
5
3
16
Liberty
2
1
1
0
4
James Madison Stymies Liberty, Stealing a 16-4 Road Triumph
3/11/2026 7:13:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Liberty was unable to find consistent offense, suffering a 16-4 loss at home against James Madison (3-4) on Wednesday evening at the Liberty Lacrosse Field.
JMU capitalized on three woman-up goals to help secure the victory. The Dukes' Jordan Peterson led all athletes with four goals and five points (one assist).
Fayedra Vang led the Lady Flames' offense with two goals on five shots. Freshman Sophia Nesci also contributed with two goals, making the most of her two free-position opportunities. She extends her goal-scoring streak to six games to start her collegiate career. Despite suffering the loss, Rachel Hines was a defensive anchor in the crease with 13 saves on a total of 42 shots.
Liberty still seeks its first-ever triumph against JMU, falling to 0-6 all-time against the Dukes.
Liberty Goals: Sophia Nesci 2 ; Fayedra Vang 2
James Madison Goals: Jordan Peterson 4 ; Kaitlyn Carney 2 ; Payton Root 2 ; Emily Simkin 2 ; Chloe Bleckley 1 ; Olivia Matthews 1 ; Grayson Anne Mccurdy 1 ; Bre McVicker 1 ; Lauren Savage 1 ; Jolie Schiavo 1
James Madison Assists: Aly Yee-Jenkins 2 ; Kaitlyn Carney 1 ; Juliana Cerasi 1 ; Ava Main 1 ; Josie Pell 1 ; Jordan Peterson 1 ; Jolie Schiavo 1 ; Emily Simkin 1
Liberty Goalkeeper: Rachel Hines (1-5) 13 saves, 16 goals
James Madison Goalkeeper: Abigail Beattie (3-4) five saves, four goals
First Quarter: Liberty 2 – JMU 5
Early Liberty turnovers allowed JMU to strike first with Jordan Peterson scoring at 11:29, followed by Kaitlyn Carney at 10:34. Liberty cut the deficit with a goal from Fayedra Vang at 8:52. Despite defensive efforts, the Dukes extended their lead with goals from Lauren Savage and Olivia Matthews. Liberty's determination paid off when Sophia Nesci scored a free position goal at 00:56, ending the quarter with the Dukes ahead 5-2.
Second Quarter: Liberty 3 – JMU 8
Liberty capitalized on a turnover by the Dukes, leading to a free position goal by Sophia Nesci at 10:56 to cut the lead in to 5-3. This brief momentum was quickly countered by three consecutive JMU goals, including two from Jordan Peterson. With 00:24 remaining, Payton Root added another for the Dukes. The Lady Flames were unable to close the gap, ending the half with the Dukes up 8-3.
Third Quarter: Liberty 4 – JMU 13
The third quarter was challenging for Liberty as the Dukes' offense executed effectively, scoring five times in the frame. Vang broke through with her second of the game from a free position shot in the final moments, offering a spark of hope. The quarter ended with the Lady Flames trailing 13-4.
Fourth Quarter: Liberty 4 – JMU 16
Liberty's defense was active in the fourth quarter, with Rachel Hines making multiple saves. Despite their defensive efforts, the Lady Flames struggled offensively, failing to capitalize on shooting opportunities. The Dukes took advantage, scoring three times, including a late goal from Emily Simkin. The game wrapped up with JMU taking a 16-4 victory.
Lady Flames News & Notes
Up Next
The Lady Flames (1-5) are set to face their next challenge on the road against High Point (0-5). The matchup is scheduled for Saturday, March 14 at 4 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
JMU capitalized on three woman-up goals to help secure the victory. The Dukes' Jordan Peterson led all athletes with four goals and five points (one assist).
Fayedra Vang led the Lady Flames' offense with two goals on five shots. Freshman Sophia Nesci also contributed with two goals, making the most of her two free-position opportunities. She extends her goal-scoring streak to six games to start her collegiate career. Despite suffering the loss, Rachel Hines was a defensive anchor in the crease with 13 saves on a total of 42 shots.
Liberty still seeks its first-ever triumph against JMU, falling to 0-6 all-time against the Dukes.
Liberty Goals: Sophia Nesci 2 ; Fayedra Vang 2
James Madison Goals: Jordan Peterson 4 ; Kaitlyn Carney 2 ; Payton Root 2 ; Emily Simkin 2 ; Chloe Bleckley 1 ; Olivia Matthews 1 ; Grayson Anne Mccurdy 1 ; Bre McVicker 1 ; Lauren Savage 1 ; Jolie Schiavo 1
James Madison Assists: Aly Yee-Jenkins 2 ; Kaitlyn Carney 1 ; Juliana Cerasi 1 ; Ava Main 1 ; Josie Pell 1 ; Jordan Peterson 1 ; Jolie Schiavo 1 ; Emily Simkin 1
Liberty Goalkeeper: Rachel Hines (1-5) 13 saves, 16 goals
James Madison Goalkeeper: Abigail Beattie (3-4) five saves, four goals
First Quarter: Liberty 2 – JMU 5
Early Liberty turnovers allowed JMU to strike first with Jordan Peterson scoring at 11:29, followed by Kaitlyn Carney at 10:34. Liberty cut the deficit with a goal from Fayedra Vang at 8:52. Despite defensive efforts, the Dukes extended their lead with goals from Lauren Savage and Olivia Matthews. Liberty's determination paid off when Sophia Nesci scored a free position goal at 00:56, ending the quarter with the Dukes ahead 5-2.
Second Quarter: Liberty 3 – JMU 8
Liberty capitalized on a turnover by the Dukes, leading to a free position goal by Sophia Nesci at 10:56 to cut the lead in to 5-3. This brief momentum was quickly countered by three consecutive JMU goals, including two from Jordan Peterson. With 00:24 remaining, Payton Root added another for the Dukes. The Lady Flames were unable to close the gap, ending the half with the Dukes up 8-3.
Third Quarter: Liberty 4 – JMU 13
The third quarter was challenging for Liberty as the Dukes' offense executed effectively, scoring five times in the frame. Vang broke through with her second of the game from a free position shot in the final moments, offering a spark of hope. The quarter ended with the Lady Flames trailing 13-4.
Fourth Quarter: Liberty 4 – JMU 16
Liberty's defense was active in the fourth quarter, with Rachel Hines making multiple saves. Despite their defensive efforts, the Lady Flames struggled offensively, failing to capitalize on shooting opportunities. The Dukes took advantage, scoring three times, including a late goal from Emily Simkin. The game wrapped up with JMU taking a 16-4 victory.
Lady Flames News & Notes
- JMU outshot Liberty 42-12 on Wednesday. They held a 25-5 advantage in shots on goal.
- Liberty goalkeeper Rachel Hines improved her saves per game average (9.20) with 13 saves. She also added two caused turnovers and tied for a game-high, four ground balls.
- The Dukes held the edge in both caused turnovers (14-10) and ground balls (27-15).
- JMU outdrew the Lady Flames 13-8. Ava Menna returned for Liberty after missing three games. She recorded two ground balls, along with Katie Colavito and Nina Gray.
- Four Lady Flames, Colavito, Hines, Kate Troutman and Jenna Burrow, recorded two caused turnovers in the contest.
- Nesci now leads the Lady Flames with 12 goals and 19 points in six games this season.
- Vang, a redshirt freshman, has scored in three consecutive games.
Up Next
The Lady Flames (1-5) are set to face their next challenge on the road against High Point (0-5). The matchup is scheduled for Saturday, March 14 at 4 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
Team Stats
JAMES MA
LIBERTY
Shots
42
12
Turnovers
16
25
Caused Turnovers
14
10
Draw Controls
13
8
Free-Position Shots
6
4
Ground Balls
27
15
Game Leaders
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
0
G
0
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
0
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
2
CT
1
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's LacrosseM
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