Thursday, March 26
Lynchburg, Va.
4:00 PM ET
Liberty University
4-7, 2-2
11
vs
12
Stetson
3-8, 3-0
1st quarter1
2nd quarter2
3rd quarter3
4th quarter4
OT quarterOT
FinalF
Stetson
1
4
3
3
1
12
Liberty
0
3
4
4
0
11
Liberty Falls 12-11 (OT) in Defensive Struggle to Stetson
3/26/2026 7:43:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Liberty Lacrosse team (4-6, 2-1) was upended at home 12-11 (OT) by Stetson (2-8, 2-0) from an overtime score from the visitors' Kathleen Nichols. Despite a fiery second-half comeback with eight goals after being down two at halftime, the Lady Flames were unable to come out on top.
Including the game-winner, Nichols led the Hatters' offense with five scores. Lexi Bird chipped in with a game-high six points (1g, 5a). Eckert starred in the crease with 15 saves against the Lady Flames on 39 shots.
Olivia Young spearheaded the Liberty offense, netting a career-high five goals on six shots. Ava Rajala stood out with six points on two goals and four assists. Sophia Nesci chipped in with two goals and an assist, converting five out of eight shots on goal.
The two teams were locked in a defensive battle to begin the game, with just Stetson finding the back of the net a single time. Liberty faced a two-goal deficit at halftime, but held a 4-3 advantage in the third and fourth quarters. The Lady Flames were unable to hold onto a 10-8 lead it earned at the 11:20 mark.
Stetson evened the game with 11 seconds remaining on a free-position conversion from Riley Heilmann. Liberty earned the initial draw of overtime, but were unable to capitalize on the possession. The Hatters cleared the ball and scored off Nichols' shot from Bird.
Liberty still seeks its first home victory of the season as Stetson tops Liberty for the first time in their eighth matchup.
Liberty Goals: Olivia Young 5 ; Sophia Nesci 2 ; Ava Rajala 2 ; Claire Christensen 1 ; Katie Colavito
1
Liberty Assists: Ava Rajala 4 ; Sophia Nesci 1
Stetson Goals: Kathleen Nichols 5 ; Lexi Bird 1 ; Charlot Castiglione 1 ; Heidi Cross 1 ; Luana Engel 1 ; Ryley Heilmann 1 ; Maya Sellinger 1 ; Alexa Vega 1
Stetson Assists: Lexi Bird 5 ; Claire Oldford 1 ; Alexa Vega 1
Liberty Goalkeeper: Rachel Hines (4-6), eight saves, 12 goals, 24 shots faced
Stetson Goalkeeper: Maddie Eckert (2-6), 15 saves, 11 goals, 39 shots faced
First Quarter Liberty-0, Stetson-1
Despite multiple attempts from Rajala and Nicole Arriola, Stetson's Eckert stood firm, thwarting several shots and maintaining a strong defensive stance. Stetson seized their opportunity, with Charlotte Castiglione scoring the quarter's only goal at 13:03.
Second Period Liberty-3, Stetson-5
Liberty turned up the heat in the second quarter, with Rajala drawing first at 12:31. Nesci extended the lead at 5:45, followed by Young at 4:53, providing a two-goal cushion for the Lady Flames. Stetson, however, answered back with goals from Nichols at 3:46 and Maya Sellinger at 2:29. Nichols struck again with just eight seconds left, leaving Liberty down 5-3 at halftime.
Third Quarter Liberty-7, Stetson-8
The third quarter was a rollercoaster, with Nesci scoring early at 12:47 to chip away at Stetson's lead. Although the visiting team responded through Nichols, Liberty's Christensen leveled the score at 9:50. The seesaw battle continued with Rajala scoring at 7:48 to even things up after Stetson briefly pulled ahead. Young capitalized on a woman-up situation, tying the game once more at 2:42. Lexi Bird's goal at 1:05 gave Stetson a slim 8–7 lead to end the quarter.
Fourth Quarter Liberty-11, Stetson-11
Liberty came out strong, with Young scoring twice, including a woman-up goal assisted by Rajala at 6:12. Katie Colavito's draw controls set up another goal for Liberty at 12:57, assisted by Sophia Nesci. Despite Stetson's efforts, with goals from Alexa Vega and Ryley Heilmann, the Lady Flames held their ground. Stetson managed to tie things up at 11 with a late goal by Heilmann at 00:11 with a free-position opportunity.
Overtime Liberty 11, Stetson 12
The extra period began with Liberty's Nina Gray securing the draw control, setting the stage for potential victory. However, a turnover by Ava Rajala, caused by Eckert, shifted the momentum. Stetson capitalized, with Kathleen Nichols scoring the decisive goal, assisted by Lexi Bird at 3:01, sealing Liberty's fate with a 12–11 loss.
Lady Flames News & Notes
Up Next
The Lady Flames (4-6, 2-1 ASUN) look to rebound when they host Jacksonville (6-3, 2-1 ASUN) on Saturday at 1 p.m. The contest will be streamed live on EPSN+.
Including the game-winner, Nichols led the Hatters' offense with five scores. Lexi Bird chipped in with a game-high six points (1g, 5a). Eckert starred in the crease with 15 saves against the Lady Flames on 39 shots.
Olivia Young spearheaded the Liberty offense, netting a career-high five goals on six shots. Ava Rajala stood out with six points on two goals and four assists. Sophia Nesci chipped in with two goals and an assist, converting five out of eight shots on goal.
The two teams were locked in a defensive battle to begin the game, with just Stetson finding the back of the net a single time. Liberty faced a two-goal deficit at halftime, but held a 4-3 advantage in the third and fourth quarters. The Lady Flames were unable to hold onto a 10-8 lead it earned at the 11:20 mark.
Stetson evened the game with 11 seconds remaining on a free-position conversion from Riley Heilmann. Liberty earned the initial draw of overtime, but were unable to capitalize on the possession. The Hatters cleared the ball and scored off Nichols' shot from Bird.
Liberty still seeks its first home victory of the season as Stetson tops Liberty for the first time in their eighth matchup.
Liberty Goals: Olivia Young 5 ; Sophia Nesci 2 ; Ava Rajala 2 ; Claire Christensen 1 ; Katie Colavito
1
Liberty Assists: Ava Rajala 4 ; Sophia Nesci 1
Stetson Goals: Kathleen Nichols 5 ; Lexi Bird 1 ; Charlot Castiglione 1 ; Heidi Cross 1 ; Luana Engel 1 ; Ryley Heilmann 1 ; Maya Sellinger 1 ; Alexa Vega 1
Stetson Assists: Lexi Bird 5 ; Claire Oldford 1 ; Alexa Vega 1
Liberty Goalkeeper: Rachel Hines (4-6), eight saves, 12 goals, 24 shots faced
Stetson Goalkeeper: Maddie Eckert (2-6), 15 saves, 11 goals, 39 shots faced
First Quarter Liberty-0, Stetson-1
Despite multiple attempts from Rajala and Nicole Arriola, Stetson's Eckert stood firm, thwarting several shots and maintaining a strong defensive stance. Stetson seized their opportunity, with Charlotte Castiglione scoring the quarter's only goal at 13:03.
Second Period Liberty-3, Stetson-5
Liberty turned up the heat in the second quarter, with Rajala drawing first at 12:31. Nesci extended the lead at 5:45, followed by Young at 4:53, providing a two-goal cushion for the Lady Flames. Stetson, however, answered back with goals from Nichols at 3:46 and Maya Sellinger at 2:29. Nichols struck again with just eight seconds left, leaving Liberty down 5-3 at halftime.
Third Quarter Liberty-7, Stetson-8
The third quarter was a rollercoaster, with Nesci scoring early at 12:47 to chip away at Stetson's lead. Although the visiting team responded through Nichols, Liberty's Christensen leveled the score at 9:50. The seesaw battle continued with Rajala scoring at 7:48 to even things up after Stetson briefly pulled ahead. Young capitalized on a woman-up situation, tying the game once more at 2:42. Lexi Bird's goal at 1:05 gave Stetson a slim 8–7 lead to end the quarter.
Fourth Quarter Liberty-11, Stetson-11
Liberty came out strong, with Young scoring twice, including a woman-up goal assisted by Rajala at 6:12. Katie Colavito's draw controls set up another goal for Liberty at 12:57, assisted by Sophia Nesci. Despite Stetson's efforts, with goals from Alexa Vega and Ryley Heilmann, the Lady Flames held their ground. Stetson managed to tie things up at 11 with a late goal by Heilmann at 00:11 with a free-position opportunity.
Overtime Liberty 11, Stetson 12
The extra period began with Liberty's Nina Gray securing the draw control, setting the stage for potential victory. However, a turnover by Ava Rajala, caused by Eckert, shifted the momentum. Stetson capitalized, with Kathleen Nichols scoring the decisive goal, assisted by Lexi Bird at 3:01, sealing Liberty's fate with a 12–11 loss.
Lady Flames News & Notes
- Liberty held a 39-24 advantage in shots with a 26-20 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Lady Flames earned 16 caused turnovers while Stetson recorded 10. Burrow and Nye each forced three a piece.
- Liberty held a 13-12 edge in draw controls. Colavito led the team with five.
- The Lady Flames were rewarded a single free-position attempt that they did not convert. The Hatters converted on 3-of-6 attempts, including the equalizing goal with 11 seconds remaining.
- Nesci, a freshman, has scored multiple goals in seven consecutive games. She has scored at least once in every game this season.
Up Next
The Lady Flames (4-6, 2-1 ASUN) look to rebound when they host Jacksonville (6-3, 2-1 ASUN) on Saturday at 1 p.m. The contest will be streamed live on EPSN+.
Team Stats
STETSON
LIBERTY
Shots
24
39
Turnovers
23
16
Caused Turnovers
10
16
Draw Controls
12
13
Free-Position Shots
6
1
Ground Balls
19
16
Game Leaders
G
5
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
2
A
4
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
0
G
2
A
1
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
4
CT
1
G
1
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-60
GB
1
CT
2
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
M/A
/ Women's LacrosseM
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's LacrosseA
/ Women's LacrosseA
/ Women's LacrosseA
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