
Liberty Taken Down at Home 19-7 by Jacksonville
3/28/2026 5:25:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Liberty lacrosse team (4-7, 2-2 ASUN) was unable to generate consistent offense on Saturday, falling to Jacksonville (7-3, 3-1 ASUN) 19-7 in Lynchburg.
Maeve Brennan led the way for the Dolphins with six points on three goals and three assists. Jessica Giller (4g, 1a), Julia Nicholson (4g, 1a), and Ainsley Scruggs (2g, 3a) each had five points.
Olivia Young was a standout for the Lady Flames, scoring twice and assisting once, while Ava Rajala also netted two goals and provided an assist. Amelia Loughery contributed two goals and Claire Christensen made her lone shot count with a goal.
Led by Nina Gray with six draw controls, out-drew the No. 15 team in draws (.613) with a 15-13 edge.
Liberty's defense, bolstered by Rachel Hines' efforts, fought hard, but Jacksonville's attack was formidable. Hines stood tall with 11 saves while the defense in front of her earned 15 caused turnovers.
The Lady Flames continue to struggle at home, still seeking their first triumph in Lynchburg. Liberty falls to 1-15 all-time against the Dolphins.
Liberty Goals: Amelia Loughery 2 ; Ava Rajala 2 ; Olivia Young 2 ; Claire Christensen 1
Liberty Assists: Ava Rajala 1 ; Olivia Young 1
Jacksonville Goals: Jessica Giller 4 ; Julia Nicholson 4 ; Maeve Brennan 3 ; Shae Hagans 3 ; Ainsley Scruggs 2 ; Maggie Cuddy 1 ; Maddie Herman 1 ; Isabella Porazzo 1
Jacksonville Assists: Maeve Brennan 3 ; Ainsley Scruggs 3 ; Allyx Berry 1 ; Maggie Cuddy 1 ; Jessica Giller 1 ; Shae Hagans 1 ; Maddie Herman 1 ; Julia Nicholson 1
Liberty Goalkeeper: Rachel Hines (4-7) 11 saves, 19 goals allowed, 32 shots faced
Jacksonville Goalkeepers: Brookelynn Hodgin (3-2), 48:24, one save, six goals, 14 shots faced
Elia Alewine, 11:36, two saves, four shots faced
First Quarter Liberty 0-Jacksonville 2
Liberty started strong with Gray's initial draw control, but despite several offensive chances, including Young's free position shot, goals were hard to come by. Jacksonville seized their chances, with Herman scoring at 8:03 and Brennan at 1:18, maintaining their lead despite Hines' three saves.
Second Quarter Liberty 3-Jacksonville 8
The second quarter saw Liberty's defense, led by Hines, initially hold firm. However, Giller's goal at 12:00 widened the gap before Loughery's response at 10:26, cutting into Jacksonville's lead. Loughery's came right back with a tally at 6:15. Rajala's late goal at 0:35 brought Liberty closer, closing the half at 8–3.
Third Quarter Liberty 6-Jacksonville 14
Jacksonville struck early with a goal from Cuddy to extend their lead. Rajala managed a free position goal at 8:31. Scores from Young and Christensen at 4:44 and 3:10, respectively, kept Liberty fighting, yet Jacksonville's steady scoring secured their 14–6 lead.
Fourth Quarter Liberty 7-Jacksonville 19
Early goals from Giller and Scruggs increased Jacksonville's lead. The final quarter saw strong defensive efforts, but Jacksonville's scoring spree stretched their lead. After a timeout, Young's goal at 7:55 offered hope for a late scoring run, but Jacksonville's relentless attack sealed the outcome. The game wrapped up with Jacksonville in command at 19–7.
Lady Flames News & Notes
Up Next
The Lady Flames (4-7) will regroup for their next challenge on the road at USF (7-2) on Thursday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m. in Tampa, Fla. The contest will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Maeve Brennan led the way for the Dolphins with six points on three goals and three assists. Jessica Giller (4g, 1a), Julia Nicholson (4g, 1a), and Ainsley Scruggs (2g, 3a) each had five points.
Olivia Young was a standout for the Lady Flames, scoring twice and assisting once, while Ava Rajala also netted two goals and provided an assist. Amelia Loughery contributed two goals and Claire Christensen made her lone shot count with a goal.
Led by Nina Gray with six draw controls, out-drew the No. 15 team in draws (.613) with a 15-13 edge.
Liberty's defense, bolstered by Rachel Hines' efforts, fought hard, but Jacksonville's attack was formidable. Hines stood tall with 11 saves while the defense in front of her earned 15 caused turnovers.
The Lady Flames continue to struggle at home, still seeking their first triumph in Lynchburg. Liberty falls to 1-15 all-time against the Dolphins.
Liberty Goals: Amelia Loughery 2 ; Ava Rajala 2 ; Olivia Young 2 ; Claire Christensen 1
Liberty Assists: Ava Rajala 1 ; Olivia Young 1
Jacksonville Goals: Jessica Giller 4 ; Julia Nicholson 4 ; Maeve Brennan 3 ; Shae Hagans 3 ; Ainsley Scruggs 2 ; Maggie Cuddy 1 ; Maddie Herman 1 ; Isabella Porazzo 1
Jacksonville Assists: Maeve Brennan 3 ; Ainsley Scruggs 3 ; Allyx Berry 1 ; Maggie Cuddy 1 ; Jessica Giller 1 ; Shae Hagans 1 ; Maddie Herman 1 ; Julia Nicholson 1
Liberty Goalkeeper: Rachel Hines (4-7) 11 saves, 19 goals allowed, 32 shots faced
Jacksonville Goalkeepers: Brookelynn Hodgin (3-2), 48:24, one save, six goals, 14 shots faced
Elia Alewine, 11:36, two saves, four shots faced
First Quarter Liberty 0-Jacksonville 2
Liberty started strong with Gray's initial draw control, but despite several offensive chances, including Young's free position shot, goals were hard to come by. Jacksonville seized their chances, with Herman scoring at 8:03 and Brennan at 1:18, maintaining their lead despite Hines' three saves.
Second Quarter Liberty 3-Jacksonville 8
The second quarter saw Liberty's defense, led by Hines, initially hold firm. However, Giller's goal at 12:00 widened the gap before Loughery's response at 10:26, cutting into Jacksonville's lead. Loughery's came right back with a tally at 6:15. Rajala's late goal at 0:35 brought Liberty closer, closing the half at 8–3.
Third Quarter Liberty 6-Jacksonville 14
Jacksonville struck early with a goal from Cuddy to extend their lead. Rajala managed a free position goal at 8:31. Scores from Young and Christensen at 4:44 and 3:10, respectively, kept Liberty fighting, yet Jacksonville's steady scoring secured their 14–6 lead.
Fourth Quarter Liberty 7-Jacksonville 19
Early goals from Giller and Scruggs increased Jacksonville's lead. The final quarter saw strong defensive efforts, but Jacksonville's scoring spree stretched their lead. After a timeout, Young's goal at 7:55 offered hope for a late scoring run, but Jacksonville's relentless attack sealed the outcome. The game wrapped up with Jacksonville in command at 19–7.
Lady Flames News & Notes
- Jacksonville outshot Liberty 32-18 with a 30-10 edge in shots on goal.
- The Dolphins recorded one more caused turnover (16-15) in the contest.
- Liberty out-drew Jacksonville as a team 15-13. Jacksonville's Abby Moran, currently No. 4 nationally in draw controls per game (11.78), was limited to nine in the game. Liberty's Nina Gray secured six while Colavito totaled five.
- The Lady Flames earned eight free-position attempts, converting on three.
- Rachel Hines (4-7) recorded 11 saves, now carrying season-long totals of a 12.81 goals-against average and a .414 save percentage.
- Young has recorded five straight games with multiple goals.
- Sophia Nesci was held scoreless for the first time this season.
Up Next
The Lady Flames (4-7) will regroup for their next challenge on the road at USF (7-2) on Thursday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m. in Tampa, Fla. The contest will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Team Stats
JACKSONV
LIBERTY
Shots
32
18
Turnovers
16
22
Caused Turnovers
16
15
Draw Controls
13
15
Free-Position Shots
4
8
Ground Balls
26
18
Game Leaders
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