Friday, September 11
Lynchburg, Va.
1:45 PM ET
Liberty University
(3-2)
1
vs
2
Virginia
(3-1)
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Liberty | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
9/11/2026 4:52:00 PM | Field Hockey
LYNCHBURG, Va. – No. 11 Virginia edged No. 13 Liberty 2-1, Friday afternoon in the Lady Flames' home opener at the Liberty Field Hockey Field.
The Cavaliers' Caitlin Connell scored what proved to be the game winner with 29 seconds left in the third quarter. Liberty sees its 14-match home winning streak snapped, a streak that started on Oct. 6, 2024. The Lady Flames fall to 3-2 on the year and are 0-2 versus top-20 teams.
Virginia improves to 3-1 after bouncing back from its first loss of the season. Liberty and UVA have played 11 all-time regular season games, with 10 of those being decided by a goal.
Liberty freshman Clarisa Iudicello scored her second goal of the season in the narrow setback.
Scoring Summary
23' – VIRGINIA – Mia Abello (Emma Watchilla and Marisa Fahning) | Penalty Corner
38' – LIBERTY – Clarisa Iudicello (Luna Prieri)
45' – VIRGINIA – Caitlin Connell (unassisted)
Goalkeepers
W: Nilou Lempers 3-1, five saves
L: Diane Saint Martin 3-2, five saves
Turning Point
After Liberty could not convert on its fourth penalty corner of the game in the closing minute of the third frame, Virginia scored the go-ahead goal. The Cavaliers' Caitlin Connell led a breakaway opportunity and sent a shot past Lady Flames goalkeeper Diane Saint Martin for a 2-1 lead at the 44:31 mark.
The Lady Flames made a final push over the last 15 minutes, recording four shots (three on goal) and one penalty corner. Avery Pollock notched back-to-back shots within a six-second span (54:57 and 55:03 mark), but UVA netminder Nilou Lempers saved both shots. Liberty pulled its goalkeeper with 2:10 left in the match and managed one more shot, but Lempers turned aside Josefina Tomasi's attempt.
Key Stats & Notes
Up Next
No. 13 Liberty will close out the weekend with a home matchup against in-state opponent Longwood (0-3), Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. Sunday is Senior Day for the Liberty field hockey program. Prior to the contest, the Lady Flames will honor their three seniors – Kyleigh Faust, Tori Griffiths and Luna Prieri.
This will be the 16th all-time game between Liberty and Longwood. Last year, the Lady Flames bested the Lancers 7-1 on the road. Six different Liberty players scored goals in the contest. Liberty is 11-4 all-time against Longwood and has won six straight meetings.
The Cavaliers' Caitlin Connell scored what proved to be the game winner with 29 seconds left in the third quarter. Liberty sees its 14-match home winning streak snapped, a streak that started on Oct. 6, 2024. The Lady Flames fall to 3-2 on the year and are 0-2 versus top-20 teams.
Virginia improves to 3-1 after bouncing back from its first loss of the season. Liberty and UVA have played 11 all-time regular season games, with 10 of those being decided by a goal.
Liberty freshman Clarisa Iudicello scored her second goal of the season in the narrow setback.
Scoring Summary
23' – VIRGINIA – Mia Abello (Emma Watchilla and Marisa Fahning) | Penalty Corner
38' – LIBERTY – Clarisa Iudicello (Luna Prieri)
45' – VIRGINIA – Caitlin Connell (unassisted)
Goalkeepers
W: Nilou Lempers 3-1, five saves
L: Diane Saint Martin 3-2, five saves
Turning Point
After Liberty could not convert on its fourth penalty corner of the game in the closing minute of the third frame, Virginia scored the go-ahead goal. The Cavaliers' Caitlin Connell led a breakaway opportunity and sent a shot past Lady Flames goalkeeper Diane Saint Martin for a 2-1 lead at the 44:31 mark.
The Lady Flames made a final push over the last 15 minutes, recording four shots (three on goal) and one penalty corner. Avery Pollock notched back-to-back shots within a six-second span (54:57 and 55:03 mark), but UVA netminder Nilou Lempers saved both shots. Liberty pulled its goalkeeper with 2:10 left in the match and managed one more shot, but Lempers turned aside Josefina Tomasi's attempt.
Key Stats & Notes
- Clarisa Iudicello scored the Lady Flames' lone goal of the afternoon in the 38th minute. The freshman scored on a crossing pass by Luna Prieri from the far edge of the left side of the circle. Iudicello leads Liberty freshmen with two goals.
- Virginia's Mia Abello put the visiting side ahead with a penalty corner goal at the 22:09 mark, assisted by Emma Watchilla and Marisa Fahning. Abello's goal, her second of the campaign, came into the right side of the cage, a shot that hit off a Liberty defender and trickled in.
- Liberty outshot UVA 10-8 and won five of the game's six penalty corners. The Cavaliers put seven shots on frame, compared to six for the Lady Flames. Both goalkeepers made five saves.
- Prieri notched her first assist of the season. The senior forward shares the team lead in goals (3) and points (7).
- The Lady Flames see a two-game winning streak halted.
- Liberty is 1-2 in one-goal games in 2026.
- Today's game was moved up over three hours due to impending inclement weather forecasted for the Lynchburg area. Liberty and UVA were originally set to square off at 5 p.m.
Up Next
No. 13 Liberty will close out the weekend with a home matchup against in-state opponent Longwood (0-3), Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. Sunday is Senior Day for the Liberty field hockey program. Prior to the contest, the Lady Flames will honor their three seniors – Kyleigh Faust, Tori Griffiths and Luna Prieri.
This will be the 16th all-time game between Liberty and Longwood. Last year, the Lady Flames bested the Lancers 7-1 on the road. Six different Liberty players scored goals in the contest. Liberty is 11-4 all-time against Longwood and has won six straight meetings.
Players Mentioned
D/M
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field Hockey
M/F
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field Hockey
GK
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field HockeyTeam Stats
VIRGINIA
LIBERTY
Goals
2
1
Shots
8
10
Shots on Goal
7
6
Saves
5
5
Corners
1
5
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
0
0
Scoring Plays
Mia Abello (2)
Assisted By: Emma Watchilla , Marisa Fahning
Penalty corner into right side
22:09
Clarisa Iudicello (2)
Assisted By: Luna Prieri
GOAL by Liberty Clarisa Iudicello, Assist by Luna Prieri, goal number 2 for season.
37:38
Caitlin Connell (1)
Breakaway chance, beat keeper
44:31
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Saturday, October 03
Monday, September 21
Thursday, April 16
Tuesday, November 11