Saturday, March 14
High Point, N.C.
4:00 PM ET
Liberty University
2-5
11
at
10
High Point
0-6
1st quarter1
2nd quarter2
3rd quarter3
4th quarter4
FinalF
LIBERTY
2
3
3
3
11
High Point Panthers
2
3
3
2
10
Liberty Hangs On in Thrilling 11-10 Victory at High Point
3/14/2026 7:57:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Lady Flames (2-5) edged past the High Point Panthers (0-6) with a thrilling 11-10 victory on Saturday evening at Vert Stadium. Liberty improved to 2-0 on the road this season while High Point still seeks its first victory in 2026.
The two teams traded goals throughout the first 45 minutes as neither team could build a lead of more than one score. Liberty pulled away in the fourth quarter with tallies from Sophia Nesci (14:26), Katie Colavito (10:41) and Claire Christensen (9:33). The Panthers pushed back with two scores from Anna Checkosky (5:55, 1:48). Rachel Hines sealed the game with a save in the final seconds.
Attackers Nesci (2g, 2a) and Ava Rajala (1g, 3a) led the way for Liberty with four points. Colavito turned in another three-goal game. Ava Menna, making her first start since Feb. 15, recorded a game-high 11 draw controls, helping the Lady Flames control the possession and tempo throughout.
Goalkeeper Rachel Hines made four key saves in the fourth quarter to preserve the win. The junior recorded back-to-back stops with minutes remaining and also made the game-sealing grab in the final second.
Freshman Claire Christensen earned the game-winning goal, receiving a pass from Rajala, who just forced a turnover at midfield. The score was Christensen's second goal of the season after she tallied a free-position goal at Longwood on March 4.
The Lady Flames earn a key win before they open conference play on the road next week.
Liberty Goals: Katie Colavito 3 ; Sophia Nesci 2 ; Olivia Young 2 ; Nicole Arriola 1 ; Claire Christensen 1 ; Ava Rajala 1 ; Fayedra Vang 1
Liberty Assists: Ava Rajala 3 ; Sophia Nesci 2 ; Jenna Burrow 1 ; Delaney Donohue 1 ; Karlie Hickson 1
High Point Goals: Anna Checkosky 2 ; Jaidyn Donley 2 ; Tatum Goettelmann 2 ; Shannon Smith 2 ; Bella Germani 1 ; Kate Prentice 1
High Point Assists: Shannon Smith 2 ; Lily Trout 2 ; Jaidyn Donley 1 ; Sydney Martin 1
Liberty Goalkeeper: Rachel Hines (2-5), five saves, seven goals
High Point Goalkeeper: Ava Welsh (0-6), seven saves, 11 goals
First Quarter: Liberty 2—High Point 2
The Lady Flames established an early presence in the first quarter. Young opened the scoring at 9:49 with an assist from Karlie Hickson, the first of the defender's career. The score was Liberty's first game-opening tally of the season.
After High Point's woman-up goal by Kate Prentice tied it up, Liberty kept pressing. As the frame drew to a close, Nesci's goal, assisted by Ava Rajala for the 50th of her career, leveled the score at 2–2.
Second Quarter: Liberty 5—High Point 5
Liberty seized control early in the second from Rajala's free-position goal at 11:30. Colavito widened the gap with a goal at 9:14, assisted by Nesci. High Point responded with goals from Shannon Smith and Jaidyn Donley, tying the game. Liberty's resilience shone through, with Nicole Arriola scoring with 40 seconds remaining, assisted by Delaney Donohue, ending the half at 5–5.
Third Quarter: Liberty 8—High Point 8
Liberty started the third period on fire, with Colavito scoring 13 seconds in, assisted by Nesci off a draw from Menna. Ava Menna dominated the draw controls throughout, keeping possession for Liberty. Despite turnovers, Olivia Young capitalized on one, scoring with Rajala's assist at 11:22.
Fayedra Vang's free position goal at 6:29 kept Liberty in stride, though the Panthers managed to tie it twice, closing the period at 8–8.
Fourth Quarter: Liberty 11—High Point 10
The final quarter began with a turnover by Young, but Liberty quickly regained momentum. Christensen's ground ball recovery led to Nesci's goal, assisted by Jenna Burrow. Moments later, Colavito's goal at 10:41 furthered Liberty's lead.
Though Checkosky's goal at 5:55 narrowed the gap, Liberty maintained control with Menna's draw control. Christensen's third goal of the period, assisted by Rajala, kept Liberty ahead.
High Point added another goal before time expired, but Liberty's defense, highlighted by Hines' crucial saves, sealed the victory.
Lady Flames News & Notes
Up Next
Liberty (2-5) starts spring break in St. Charles, Mo., to take on Lindenwood (3-5) on Thursday. The matchup set for 1 p.m. will be the Atlantic Sun opener for both teams. The Lady Flames also take on ASUN Newcomer Austin Peay (4-3) on Saturday.
The two teams traded goals throughout the first 45 minutes as neither team could build a lead of more than one score. Liberty pulled away in the fourth quarter with tallies from Sophia Nesci (14:26), Katie Colavito (10:41) and Claire Christensen (9:33). The Panthers pushed back with two scores from Anna Checkosky (5:55, 1:48). Rachel Hines sealed the game with a save in the final seconds.
Attackers Nesci (2g, 2a) and Ava Rajala (1g, 3a) led the way for Liberty with four points. Colavito turned in another three-goal game. Ava Menna, making her first start since Feb. 15, recorded a game-high 11 draw controls, helping the Lady Flames control the possession and tempo throughout.
Goalkeeper Rachel Hines made four key saves in the fourth quarter to preserve the win. The junior recorded back-to-back stops with minutes remaining and also made the game-sealing grab in the final second.
Ava defense ??Ava pass ?? Claire goal
— Liberty Lacrosse (@LibertyWLAX) March 14, 2026
Q4 9:33 Liberty 11 - High Point 8 pic.twitter.com/D17OpkARu9
Freshman Claire Christensen earned the game-winning goal, receiving a pass from Rajala, who just forced a turnover at midfield. The score was Christensen's second goal of the season after she tallied a free-position goal at Longwood on March 4.
The Lady Flames earn a key win before they open conference play on the road next week.
Liberty Goals: Katie Colavito 3 ; Sophia Nesci 2 ; Olivia Young 2 ; Nicole Arriola 1 ; Claire Christensen 1 ; Ava Rajala 1 ; Fayedra Vang 1
Liberty Assists: Ava Rajala 3 ; Sophia Nesci 2 ; Jenna Burrow 1 ; Delaney Donohue 1 ; Karlie Hickson 1
High Point Goals: Anna Checkosky 2 ; Jaidyn Donley 2 ; Tatum Goettelmann 2 ; Shannon Smith 2 ; Bella Germani 1 ; Kate Prentice 1
High Point Assists: Shannon Smith 2 ; Lily Trout 2 ; Jaidyn Donley 1 ; Sydney Martin 1
Liberty Goalkeeper: Rachel Hines (2-5), five saves, seven goals
High Point Goalkeeper: Ava Welsh (0-6), seven saves, 11 goals
First Quarter: Liberty 2—High Point 2
The Lady Flames established an early presence in the first quarter. Young opened the scoring at 9:49 with an assist from Karlie Hickson, the first of the defender's career. The score was Liberty's first game-opening tally of the season.
After High Point's woman-up goal by Kate Prentice tied it up, Liberty kept pressing. As the frame drew to a close, Nesci's goal, assisted by Ava Rajala for the 50th of her career, leveled the score at 2–2.
Defense ?? Offense
— Liberty Lacrosse (@LibertyWLAX) March 14, 2026
Q1 16.7 Liberty 2 - High Point 2 pic.twitter.com/lenFEJhhPV
Second Quarter: Liberty 5—High Point 5
Liberty seized control early in the second from Rajala's free-position goal at 11:30. Colavito widened the gap with a goal at 9:14, assisted by Nesci. High Point responded with goals from Shannon Smith and Jaidyn Donley, tying the game. Liberty's resilience shone through, with Nicole Arriola scoring with 40 seconds remaining, assisted by Delaney Donohue, ending the half at 5–5.
Third Quarter: Liberty 8—High Point 8
Liberty started the third period on fire, with Colavito scoring 13 seconds in, assisted by Nesci off a draw from Menna. Ava Menna dominated the draw controls throughout, keeping possession for Liberty. Despite turnovers, Olivia Young capitalized on one, scoring with Rajala's assist at 11:22.
Fayedra Vang's free position goal at 6:29 kept Liberty in stride, though the Panthers managed to tie it twice, closing the period at 8–8.
Katie gets the second half started in a ??
— Liberty Lacrosse (@LibertyWLAX) March 14, 2026
Q3 14:47 Liberty 6 - High Point 5 pic.twitter.com/JAkFeJav7G
Fourth Quarter: Liberty 11—High Point 10
The final quarter began with a turnover by Young, but Liberty quickly regained momentum. Christensen's ground ball recovery led to Nesci's goal, assisted by Jenna Burrow. Moments later, Colavito's goal at 10:41 furthered Liberty's lead.
Though Checkosky's goal at 5:55 narrowed the gap, Liberty maintained control with Menna's draw control. Christensen's third goal of the period, assisted by Rajala, kept Liberty ahead.
High Point added another goal before time expired, but Liberty's defense, highlighted by Hines' crucial saves, sealed the victory.
Lady Flames News & Notes
- Liberty held a 24-22 advantage in shots and an 18-15 edge in shots on goal. Colavito led all players with six shots on Saturday.
- The Lady Flames recorded a season-high 16 draw controls, led by a game-high 11 from Menna.
- The Lady Flames and Panthers each recorded 18 caused turnovers. Madeleine Klunder led all players with four caused turnovers.
- High Point held a 28-20 edge in ground balls on Saturday. Two Lady Flames, Hickson and Rajala earned a game-high four ground balls.
- Liberty scored twice from free-position attempts (2-of-3) from Rajala and Vang.
- Nesci, a freshman, has scored multiple goals in four consecutive games. She has scored at least once in every game this season.
- Hines recorded five saves for the game on 22 shots faced, including four stops in the fourth quarter. She now carries a 13.32 goals-against average and a .417 save percentage.
Up Next
Liberty (2-5) starts spring break in St. Charles, Mo., to take on Lindenwood (3-5) on Thursday. The matchup set for 1 p.m. will be the Atlantic Sun opener for both teams. The Lady Flames also take on ASUN Newcomer Austin Peay (4-3) on Saturday.
Team Stats
LIBERTY
HPUW
Shots
24
22
Turnovers
26
22
Caused Turnovers
18
18
Draw Controls
16
7
Free-Position Shots
3
4
Ground Balls
20
28
Game Leaders
G
3
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
2
CT
1
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
1
G
2
A
2
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
1
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
D
/ Women's Lacrosse
M/A
/ Women's LacrosseM
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
D
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's Lacrosse
D
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's LacrosseM
/ Women's LacrosseA
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Tuesday, May 06
Mackenzie Lehman & Katie Colavito Talk About Preparing For The NCAA WLAX Tournament
Tuesday, May 06