Thursday, August 13
Lynchburg, Va.
6:00 PM ET
Liberty University
1-0-0, 0-0-0
2
vs
0
East Carolina
0-1-0, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Carolina | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Liberty | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Liberty Kicks Off 2026 Season with Shutout Victory
8/13/2026 10:26:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Liberty women's soccer team started the 2026 season with a strong 2-0 shutout triumph at home over East Carolina on Thursday night. The Lady Flames netted an early goal, later adding insurance from midfielder Avenley Monteith midway through the second half.
Liberty gears up for a second game this week, heading up the road to face No. 11 Virginia on Sunday night at 5:00.
The Lady Flames got on the board in the third minute of the contest. Haley Noblit attacked towards the post, sending a hard cross into the penalty area, benefiting from a deflection off an ECU defender and into the back of the net. Liberty stayed aggressive with 10 shots in the first half, including attempts by Noblit and Isabella Wedemeyer, but the Pirates' Olivia Dietrich's efforts in goal for East Carolina kept the score unchanged by the end of the half.
The defense held firm throughout the contest. The Lady Flames allowed just two shots on goal throughout the game, needing just two saves. Liberty split time in goal between the starting Peyton Huber and Ainsley Leja. The former is a sixth-year goalkeeper who played in her first game since Sept. 7, 2025.
Liberty solidified its lead in the second period with a decisive goal by Monteith in the 64th minute. She found a pocket of space and blasted an arcing shot that found a home in the far upper-90 of the goal frame.
The Lady Flames top East Carolina in a season opener for the second straight season. Liberty topped the Pirates 3-1 on the road to begin the 2025 season.
Scoring Summary
3' – Liberty – Own Goal
64' – Liberty – Avenley Monteith (1)
Lady Flames News & Notes
Up Next
Liberty seeks its first-ever victory against in-state rivals, No. 11 Virginia, when it meets the Cavaliers on Sunday night at 5:00 at Klockner Stadium. The contest will be streamed live on ACC Network Xtra.
Liberty gears up for a second game this week, heading up the road to face No. 11 Virginia on Sunday night at 5:00.
The Lady Flames got on the board in the third minute of the contest. Haley Noblit attacked towards the post, sending a hard cross into the penalty area, benefiting from a deflection off an ECU defender and into the back of the net. Liberty stayed aggressive with 10 shots in the first half, including attempts by Noblit and Isabella Wedemeyer, but the Pirates' Olivia Dietrich's efforts in goal for East Carolina kept the score unchanged by the end of the half.
3' | picking up right where we left off ??
— Liberty Women's Soccer (@LibertyWSoccer) August 13, 2026
Noblit starts us off for the season ??
?? @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/aiwcNPmB4e
The defense held firm throughout the contest. The Lady Flames allowed just two shots on goal throughout the game, needing just two saves. Liberty split time in goal between the starting Peyton Huber and Ainsley Leja. The former is a sixth-year goalkeeper who played in her first game since Sept. 7, 2025.
Liberty solidified its lead in the second period with a decisive goal by Monteith in the 64th minute. She found a pocket of space and blasted an arcing shot that found a home in the far upper-90 of the goal frame.
64' | AVENLEY GOES ALL THE WAY ??
— Liberty Women's Soccer (@LibertyWSoccer) August 13, 2026
?? @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/8NJY7oRYpA
The Lady Flames top East Carolina in a season opener for the second straight season. Liberty topped the Pirates 3-1 on the road to begin the 2025 season.
Scoring Summary
3' – Liberty – Own Goal
64' – Liberty – Avenley Monteith (1)
Lady Flames News & Notes
- Three Lady Flames, Noblit (5), Monteith (4) and Carly Keene (4) recorded at least four shots, leading the team.
- Liberty finished the contest with 21 shots, with 11 on goal. East Carolina registered five shots with two on goal.
- The Lady Flames' pair of center backs, Lauren Littleton and Maddyson Kerley, each played a 90-minute match. Littleton added a shot on goal in the game.
- Liberty improves to 4-4-0 all-time against East Carolina and 4-4-1 under Head Coach Lang Wedemeyer in season openers.
- The Lady Flames improve their regular season unbeaten streak to nine games.
- Four Freshmen, Audrey Heustis, Bella Myrmel, Izzie Smulik and Olivia Diez, made their collegiate debuts on Thursday night.
Up Next
Liberty seeks its first-ever victory against in-state rivals, No. 11 Virginia, when it meets the Cavaliers on Sunday night at 5:00 at Klockner Stadium. The contest will be streamed live on ACC Network Xtra.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's SoccerTeam Stats
ECU
LU
Goals
0
2
Shots
5
20
Shots on Goal
2
11
Saves
10
2
Corners
1
3
Fouls
8
11
Scoring Plays
0
GOAL by LU TEAM.
02:09
Avenley Monteith (1)
GOAL by LU Monteith, Avenley.
63:58
Game Leaders
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
mid
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
mid
Shots
4
SOG
3
Goals
0
Assists
0
def
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
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