Blocker shines on senior night
What happens when an unstoppable force and an immovable object collide? In soccer, they just draw. Liberty University shared a victory point with Radford after a 0-0 tie in a Big South Conference game Saturday, Oct. 20.
Including Saturday’s tie, the defending Big South Champion Radford University Highlanders have not faced defeat since Aug. 26 of this year.
Liberty also had a defensive achievement on their senior night game as Karen Blocker tied for the Liberty University record of most shutouts in a single season, matching Natalie Mayer’s mark of nine.
The Lady Flames now have an 11-6-2 overall record with a 5-3-2-conference record, while Radford holds an 11-2-4 record and a 6-0-4-conference record.
“Coming into the game, we knew it was going to be a hard game,” Blocker said. “My girls did a great job fighting for that shutout. It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t put one away, but their goalkeeper made some good saves.”
Blocker had seven saves on the night.
“I’m pleased with the fact that the girls got a shutout, and they worked really hard defending,” Head Coach Jessica Hain said. “I think we were tenacious, and we were fighting for a win, but we also protected our goal, so I’m proud of our team.”
Senior night
Senior night comes around every year, bringing a bittersweet night of commemoration to every sport. This year, the eight graduating seniors celebrated their careers by walking between two rows of underclassmen that serenaded them with cheers and salutes as their parents guided their every step.
But the sentimental atmosphere dissipated when the buzzer rang, and the crowd began to cheer for their respective teams.
“Senior night for me is bittersweet,” Blocker said. “It’s my fifth season, and this team is by far the most special team that I’ve been a part of. I’m so blessed to be graduating with these girls.”
Blocker will join Heather Bentley, Ariana Espinoza, Kelly Henion, Emily Hoy, Sarah Robinson, Madison Short and Lauren Stell as they graduate next spring.
“The seniors have done a great job, and they’re great competitors,” Hain said. “They’re great role models for the team. They’ve done an excellent job leading this year as a group, and we’re really going to miss them.”
All seniors, with the exception of Short, started the game Saturday night. Seven minutes into the game, Stell was carried off the field when she fell down after a challenge by a Radford player. There did not appear to be any foul play involved.
The Lady Flames will finish their home schedule against Longwood Oct. 23 before playing heading into the Big South Tournament Oct. 27.
“We’re ready to go,” Blocker said. “We’re ready to get it done. I think if we play our game, we have a good chance to win the tournament, so I’m excited.”