Thursday, April 2
Tampa, Fla.
7:30 PM ET
Liberty University
4-8
8
at
9
USF
8-3
1st quarter1
2nd quarter2
3rd quarter3
4th quarter4
OT quarterOT
OT 1 quarterOT 1
FinalF
LIBERTY
3
4
0
1
0
0
8
South Fla
2
4
1
1
0
1
9
Lady Flames Edged 9-8 at USF in 2OT Thriller
4/3/2026 1:12:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
TAMPA, Fla. – The Liberty women's lacrosse (4-8) team narrowly missed out on a key victory, ultimately falling 9-8 2OT on the road against USF (8-3). Liberty fell despite holding a 7-6 lead entering halftime and a career-high 17 saves from Rachel Hines.
The Bulls deployed a balanced attack, led by Sofia Chepenik (2g, 2a), Maggie Newton (3g) and Ava Uphues (2g). South Florida unleashed 36 shots and recorded three total saves.
Hines stood out in the crease with a career-high 17 saves on Thursday night. She tops her previous high of 16 that she set earlier this season against No. 24 Virginia. The Lady Flames were led on offense by Olivia Young (1g, 3a) and Sophia Nesci (2g, 1a).
Liberty was able to jump out to an early 3-0 lead, including a pair of goals from Nesci. The contest turned into a defensive standoff in the second half. The two teams totaled four goals after halftime.
The Lady Flames suffer their first loss on the road this season.
Liberty Goals: Katie Colavito 2; Sophia Nesci 2; Fayedra Vang 2; Hattie Messick 1; Olivia Young 1
Liberty Assists: Olivia Young 3; Sophia Nesci 1; Ava Rajala 1
South Florida Goals: Maggie Newton 3; Sofia Chepenik 2; Ava Uphues 2; Elise Grissett 1; Kaitlyn Tartaglione 1
South Florida Assists: Sofia Chepenik 2; Julia Huxtable 1; Bailey Morris 1; Cami Schachet 1; Kaitlyn Tartaglione 1
Liberty Goalkeeper: Rachel Hines (4-8), 17 saves, nine goals, 36 shots faced
South Florida Goalkeeper: Natalie Eastwood (7-2), three saves, eight goals, 18 shots faced
First Quarter Liberty-3, USF-2
The Lady Flames came out strong in the first quarter, with Olivia Young opening the scoring at 10:11, thanks to an assist from Ava Rajala. Young's goal marked her 23rd of the season. Sophia Nesci extended the lead with a free position goal at 8:00, followed by another at 7:08, bringing her season total to 28. South Florida answered with a goal from Ava Uphues at 6:44, but Liberty held firm. After a weather delay, South Florida narrowed the gap with a goal from Elise Grissett at 3:50, but Liberty closed the quarter ahead 3–2.
Second Quarter Liberty-7, USF-6
In the second quarter, Liberty capitalized on key moments, with Katie Colavito scoring twice, both assisted by Young, at 11:45 and 10:35. Despite South Florida's two goals, including one from Uphues at 7:39, Liberty stayed ahead with a goal from Fayedra Vang, at 2:59. Hattie Messick's decisive woman-up goal from a free position shot at 00:33 ensured Liberty ended the half with a 7–6 lead.
Third Quarter Liberty-7, USF-7
Despite fouls and green cards, Liberty's defense, led by Hines, held strong. After a timeout at 10:07, Jenna Burrow's forced turnover and ground ball pickup at 10:23 provided a brief boost, but turnovers, including one by Young at 1:34, left the score tied at 7–7 by the quarter's end.
Fourth Quarter Liberty-8, USF-8
Liberty kept its intensity going in the fourth quarter, with Vang scoring at 7:01, marking her 12th goal of the season. Hines was stellar on defense, making critical saves, including one against a free position shot by South Florida's Kaitlyn Tartaglione. South Florida equalized with a goal from Chepenik at 3:36, ending regulation tied at 8–8.
First Overtime Liberty-8, USF-8
In the first overtime, Menna again secured the initial draw, setting the pace for Liberty. However, turnovers by Nesci and Rajala allowed USF to apply pressure. Hines was instrumental with key saves, notably against Tartaglione and Chepenik, keeping the frame scoreless.
Second Quarter Liberty-8, USF-9
The second overtime began with another Menna draw control, but a turnover shifted the momentum. Despite Hines' crucial save against another Chepenik shot, Liberty's attempts to clear faltered, led to a turnover. The Bulls capitalized with a goal from Maggie Newton, assisted by Bailey Morris, sealing a 9–8 victory.
Lady Flames News & Notes
Up Next
The Lady Flames (4-8) will host No. 14 Notre Dame (9-3) at the Liberty Lacrosse Field on Monday, April 6 at 1 p.m. The contest will be streamed live on ESPN+.
The Bulls deployed a balanced attack, led by Sofia Chepenik (2g, 2a), Maggie Newton (3g) and Ava Uphues (2g). South Florida unleashed 36 shots and recorded three total saves.
Hines stood out in the crease with a career-high 17 saves on Thursday night. She tops her previous high of 16 that she set earlier this season against No. 24 Virginia. The Lady Flames were led on offense by Olivia Young (1g, 3a) and Sophia Nesci (2g, 1a).
Liberty was able to jump out to an early 3-0 lead, including a pair of goals from Nesci. The contest turned into a defensive standoff in the second half. The two teams totaled four goals after halftime.
The Lady Flames suffer their first loss on the road this season.
Liberty Goals: Katie Colavito 2; Sophia Nesci 2; Fayedra Vang 2; Hattie Messick 1; Olivia Young 1
Liberty Assists: Olivia Young 3; Sophia Nesci 1; Ava Rajala 1
South Florida Goals: Maggie Newton 3; Sofia Chepenik 2; Ava Uphues 2; Elise Grissett 1; Kaitlyn Tartaglione 1
South Florida Assists: Sofia Chepenik 2; Julia Huxtable 1; Bailey Morris 1; Cami Schachet 1; Kaitlyn Tartaglione 1
Liberty Goalkeeper: Rachel Hines (4-8), 17 saves, nine goals, 36 shots faced
South Florida Goalkeeper: Natalie Eastwood (7-2), three saves, eight goals, 18 shots faced
First Quarter Liberty-3, USF-2
The Lady Flames came out strong in the first quarter, with Olivia Young opening the scoring at 10:11, thanks to an assist from Ava Rajala. Young's goal marked her 23rd of the season. Sophia Nesci extended the lead with a free position goal at 8:00, followed by another at 7:08, bringing her season total to 28. South Florida answered with a goal from Ava Uphues at 6:44, but Liberty held firm. After a weather delay, South Florida narrowed the gap with a goal from Elise Grissett at 3:50, but Liberty closed the quarter ahead 3–2.
Second Quarter Liberty-7, USF-6
In the second quarter, Liberty capitalized on key moments, with Katie Colavito scoring twice, both assisted by Young, at 11:45 and 10:35. Despite South Florida's two goals, including one from Uphues at 7:39, Liberty stayed ahead with a goal from Fayedra Vang, at 2:59. Hattie Messick's decisive woman-up goal from a free position shot at 00:33 ensured Liberty ended the half with a 7–6 lead.
Third Quarter Liberty-7, USF-7
Despite fouls and green cards, Liberty's defense, led by Hines, held strong. After a timeout at 10:07, Jenna Burrow's forced turnover and ground ball pickup at 10:23 provided a brief boost, but turnovers, including one by Young at 1:34, left the score tied at 7–7 by the quarter's end.
Fourth Quarter Liberty-8, USF-8
Liberty kept its intensity going in the fourth quarter, with Vang scoring at 7:01, marking her 12th goal of the season. Hines was stellar on defense, making critical saves, including one against a free position shot by South Florida's Kaitlyn Tartaglione. South Florida equalized with a goal from Chepenik at 3:36, ending regulation tied at 8–8.
First Overtime Liberty-8, USF-8
In the first overtime, Menna again secured the initial draw, setting the pace for Liberty. However, turnovers by Nesci and Rajala allowed USF to apply pressure. Hines was instrumental with key saves, notably against Tartaglione and Chepenik, keeping the frame scoreless.
Second Quarter Liberty-8, USF-9
The second overtime began with another Menna draw control, but a turnover shifted the momentum. Despite Hines' crucial save against another Chepenik shot, Liberty's attempts to clear faltered, led to a turnover. The Bulls capitalized with a goal from Maggie Newton, assisted by Bailey Morris, sealing a 9–8 victory.
Lady Flames News & Notes
- Liberty was outshot 36-18 and 26-11 in shots on goal.
- The Lady Flames managed eight caused turnovers in the contest.
- Liberty owned an 11-8 advantage in draw controls, led by Ava Menna with a game-high five.
- In the contest, Madeleine achieved her 150th career ground ball.
- Hines (4-8) tallied a career-high 17 saves. She has recorded at least eight saves in eight games this season.
- The goalkeeper carries season tallies of 113 saves, a 12.34 goals-against average and a .438 save percentage.
- Hines moved into third all-time in program history, now with 301 career saves.
- Entering the contest, Hines ranked No. 21 in the country with 96 saves.
Up Next
The Lady Flames (4-8) will host No. 14 Notre Dame (9-3) at the Liberty Lacrosse Field on Monday, April 6 at 1 p.m. The contest will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Team Stats
LIBERTY
USF
Shots
18
36
Turnovers
31
21
Caused Turnovers
8
17
Draw Controls
11
8
Free-Position Shots
5
2
Ground Balls
16
26
Game Leaders
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
0
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
2
A
1
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
1
G
1
A
3
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's LacrosseM
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's LacrosseA
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's LacrosseM
/ Women's LacrosseA
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