Lady Flames hand Bucc’s 3-1 loss, look to face No. 7 Gardner-Webb

Up next — Silvia Betancourt (11) and the Lady Flames are 2-0 in conference play but have a date with No. 7 Gardner-Webb. Photo credit: Bekah Lohr

Though the weather was cold, the Lady Flames were on fire as they took on the Charleston Southern Buccaneers Saturday. It was an afternoon of Costa Rican domination as senior forward Silvia Betancourt and junior midfielder Ariana Espinoza, both from San Jose, Costa Rica, came out strong, each scoring a goal in Liberty’s 3-1 win.

The games started off quickly with both teams hungry for the win. Betancourt was involved in play early, testing opposing goalkeeper senior Amy Arroyo in the 14th minute. Six other Lady Flames players tried to give Liberty the early lead by taking shots, but Arroyo denied them all.

Despite the numerous efforts by both Betancourt and Espinoza, the score remained 0-0 at halftime. Liberty shot seven times to Charleston Southern’s three but both goalkeepers were solid and did not allow any goals against in the first half.

Eight minutes into the second half, Espinoza started the scoring by heading the ball into the back of the net off of a free kick from junior defender Heather Bentley.

Play continued in the second half with each team firing a number of shots, hoping to add to their side of the scoreboard but coming up unsuccessful.

Charleston Southern’s leading scorer, sophomore Toni Lashley, tied the game in the 74th minute, beating Liberty goalkeeper Karen Blocker with a lobbed ball into the left corner.

The game remained tied until the 83rd minute when Betancourt gave Liberty the lead again after beating a defender and the goalkeeper with a shot into the right corner.

“After the other team scored a lucky shot, Sil was subbed in. I was sure that she had the aggression needed to score again and bring home a Lady Flames Victory,” junior Kellie Stevenson said.

Sophomore forward Casey Norris secured the win for Liberty, finishing a cross from freshman Alanna Dunkle.

Liberty’s overall record rises to 5-3-2 after this win with a conference record of 2-0.

Throughout the game, Betancourt and Espinoza wowed Lady Flames fans with their fast paced play, tricky moves and game changing involvement.

“I didn’t even know that we had girls from Costa Rica on our team. That is so cool,” freshman Anne Lowry said. “I was really impressed by their style of play, it was amazing. The game truly was an awesome display of Costa Rican domination.”

Liberty hopes to continue their four game winning streak as they travel to North Carolina to take on the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs Thursday.

The Lady Flames are eager for Thursday’s “rematch” after exiting the Big South tournament last year due to losing 4-2 in penalty kicks against No. 7 Gardner-Webb. Lady Flames fans can support the team by watching the game live online via the Big South Sports network.

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