Friday, August 28
Orono, Maine
12:00 PM ET
Liberty University
(1-0)
5
at
0
Maine
(0-1)
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Maine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No. 8 Liberty Blanks Maine 5-0 in First Game of Year
8/28/2026 2:48:00 PM | Field Hockey
ORONO, MAINE – No. 8-ranked Liberty blanked Maine 5-0 in its first game of the year, Friday afternoon at the UMaine Field Hockey Complex.
Four different players scored goals for the Lady Flames, who move to 1-0 on the young season and win their ninth straight season openers. Preseason BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year Dara Semmartin scored two times, while Avery Pollock, Julieta Tornati and Luna Prieri each found the back of the cage.
Maine drops to 0-1. This was the first-ever meeting between the Lady Flames and Black Bears. Liberty will set its sights on its next game against No. 15 UMass tomorrow. The neutral-site match will take place at noon at the UMaine Field Hockey Complex.
Scoring Summary
7' – LIBERTY – Avery Pollock (unassisted)
23' – LIBERTY – Dara Semmartin (Mia Santana and Avery Pollock) | Penalty Corner
38' – LIBERTY – Julieta Tornati | Penalty Stroke
43' – LIBERTY – Dara Semmartin | Penalty Stroke
49' – LIBERTY – Luna Prieri (Pia Iapichino)
Goalkeepers
W: Diane Saint Martin 1-0, one save
L: Annabel Halkes 0-1, eight saves
Turning Point
Liberty was on the attack early and often, firing off 11 shots (nine on goal) in the opening frame. A shot by the Lady Flames' Teshawn De La Rey was saved by Maine's Annabel Halkes, but Avery Pollock finished off the ensuing rebound for a 1-0 lead at the 6:44 mark.
Midway through the second quarter, Liberty capitalized on its second penalty corner of the match to push the lead to 2-0. Following an Avery Pollock insert and feed to Mia Santana, Dara Semmartin scored for the first time this season at the 22:46 mark.
Taking a 2-0 lead into the break, the visiting Lady Flames tacked out a pair of insurance goals, both on penalty strokes. Julieta Tornati was the first to score on a penalty stroke in the 38th minute, followed by Semmartin at the 42:45 mark.
Early in the fourth quarter (48:44 mark), Liberty scored its fifth and final goal of the day. Following a build up from Liz Bustillo along the sideline and pass to Pia Iapichino inside the circle, Iapichino found Luna Prieri in a prime scoring position. Prieri one-timed a shot into the left side of the net.
Key Stats & Notes
No. 8 Liberty (1-0) has a short turnaround before facing No. 15 UMass (0-0) on Saturday at noon at the UMaine Field Hockey Complex.
The Lady Flames and Minutewomen will be squaring off for the first time.
Four different players scored goals for the Lady Flames, who move to 1-0 on the young season and win their ninth straight season openers. Preseason BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year Dara Semmartin scored two times, while Avery Pollock, Julieta Tornati and Luna Prieri each found the back of the cage.
Maine drops to 0-1. This was the first-ever meeting between the Lady Flames and Black Bears. Liberty will set its sights on its next game against No. 15 UMass tomorrow. The neutral-site match will take place at noon at the UMaine Field Hockey Complex.
Scoring Summary
7' – LIBERTY – Avery Pollock (unassisted)
23' – LIBERTY – Dara Semmartin (Mia Santana and Avery Pollock) | Penalty Corner
38' – LIBERTY – Julieta Tornati | Penalty Stroke
43' – LIBERTY – Dara Semmartin | Penalty Stroke
49' – LIBERTY – Luna Prieri (Pia Iapichino)
Goalkeepers
W: Diane Saint Martin 1-0, one save
L: Annabel Halkes 0-1, eight saves
Turning Point
Liberty was on the attack early and often, firing off 11 shots (nine on goal) in the opening frame. A shot by the Lady Flames' Teshawn De La Rey was saved by Maine's Annabel Halkes, but Avery Pollock finished off the ensuing rebound for a 1-0 lead at the 6:44 mark.
Midway through the second quarter, Liberty capitalized on its second penalty corner of the match to push the lead to 2-0. Following an Avery Pollock insert and feed to Mia Santana, Dara Semmartin scored for the first time this season at the 22:46 mark.
Taking a 2-0 lead into the break, the visiting Lady Flames tacked out a pair of insurance goals, both on penalty strokes. Julieta Tornati was the first to score on a penalty stroke in the 38th minute, followed by Semmartin at the 42:45 mark.
Early in the fourth quarter (48:44 mark), Liberty scored its fifth and final goal of the day. Following a build up from Liz Bustillo along the sideline and pass to Pia Iapichino inside the circle, Iapichino found Luna Prieri in a prime scoring position. Prieri one-timed a shot into the left side of the net.
Key Stats & Notes
- Liberty led in shots 29-2 and held an advantage in penalty corners, 5-1. The Lady Flames' 29 shots are their most in a game since also recording 29 shots versus Quinnipiac on Oct. 18, 2024.
- This was Semmartin's first career two-goal game.
- Diane Saint Martin (one save) notched her ninth career shutout in only her 21st start in a Liberty jersey.
- Junior forward Josefina Tomasi made a defensive save in the 37th minute, the fifth of her career. Tomasi led all players with six shots on the afternoon.
- Freshman Pia Iapichino notched her first collegiate assist today.
- Freshmen Clarisa Iudicello, Iapichino and Teshawn De La Rey, along with senior Luna Prieri, each made their first respective starts for the Lady Flames today. Senior Ashlee Bucksar and sophomore Liz Bustillo made their first career appearances at Liberty.
- Liberty improves to 12-4 all-time in season openers. This is the first time the Lady Flames have won by five or more in an opener since besting Kent State 9-0 in the first match of the 2022 season.
No. 8 Liberty (1-0) has a short turnaround before facing No. 15 UMass (0-0) on Saturday at noon at the UMaine Field Hockey Complex.
The Lady Flames and Minutewomen will be squaring off for the first time.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Field Hockey
M/F
/ Field Hockey
M
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field Hockey
M/F
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field Hockey
GK
/ Field Hockey
M
/ Field Hockey
D
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field Hockey
D
/ Field HockeyTeam Stats
LIBERTY
MAINE
Goals
5
0
Shots
29
2
Shots on Goal
23
2
Saves
1
18
Corners
5
1
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
22
11
Scoring Plays
Avery Pollock (1)
GOAL by Liberty Avery Pollock (FIRST GOAL), goal number 1 for season.
6:44
Dara Semmartin
Assisted By: Mia Santana , Avery Pollock
GOAL by Liberty Dara Semmartin, Assist by Mia Santana and Avery Pollock
22:46
Julieta Tornati (1)
Liberty Julieta Tornati PENALTY STROKE GOAL, goal number 1 for season.
37:01
Dara Semmartin (1)
Liberty Dara Semmartin PENALTY STROKE GOAL, goal number 1 for season.
42:45
Luna Prieri (1)
Assisted By: Pia Iapichino
GOAL by Liberty Luna Prieri, Assist by Pia Iapichino, goal number 1 for season.
48:44
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
4
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Thursday, April 16
Tuesday, November 11
Tuesday, November 11
Monday, November 10