Lady Flames fall short
Women’s soccer runs through Big South playoffs, lose in the championship
Control — Senior midfielder Rebeccah Smith maintains control of the ball in her final game as a Lady Flame. Photo credit: Leah Seavers
The Liberty Lady Flames soccer team — the No. 1 seed in the tournament and regular-season conference champion — ended its season in disappointing fashion when it failed to defend its Big South Conference (BSC) Championship. The Lady Flames fell in a penalty-kick shootout against High Point Panthers Sunday, Nov. 9.
In the quarterfinals Nov. 2, Liberty took on the eighth-seeded Radford Highlanders, defeating them 2-0 for their ninth shutout of the season.
Junior midfielder Brittany Aanderud delivered the first goal in the 36th minute, assisted by junior midfielder Crystal Elmers and freshman forward Jennifer Knoebel.
Aanderud returned the favor in the 67th minute, teaming up with Alanna Dunkle to assist junior midfielder Madison Kauzlarich on the goal.
The Lady Flames took on the Campbell Camels in the BSC Semifinals Nov. 7, holding them off for the 2-1 victory. Knoebel and Elmers were both able to score within a minute of each other, giving Liberty the 2-0 lead. Campbell’s sophomore defender Nicole Connolly scored in the 76th minute on an assist from Alexis Prada, but the Lady Flames were able to hold them off for the win.
Liberty then entered the BSC Championship game where they hoped to defend their conference championship. Last year, Liberty defeated Radford 5-0 in the BSC Final.
The Lady Flames went into the championship match having outscored their opponents 36-12.
To open the championship game against High Point, Aanderud commenced scoring for the match. In the fourth minute, she put the opening goal past High Point goalie Alex Persiani, increasing her total to six on the season. Aanderud was one of three Lady Flames to make the Big South All-Tournament Team, according to liberty.edu/flames.
Kauzlarich and Elmers were the other two.
Around the 20th minute, High Point freshman forward Meredith Dunker put the ball past Big South Defensive Player of the Year, Liberty goalie Holly Van Noord, to tie the game at 1.
Seven minutes after halftime, Liberty retook the lead after Kauzlarich also scored her sixth goal of the season, giving Liberty the one-goal lead. But once again, High Point tied the score with only four minutes left in the game.
High Point freshman Bri Jean-Charles was responsible for the goal that saved the Panthers’ season. The score was the first of her collegiate career.
After two scoreless overtime periods, the championship was decided by a penalty shootout.
Each of the first three shooters scored their penalty kicks. However, senior Maddie Boone, who was playing her last game in a Liberty uniform, missed her shot, which gave High Point the advantage.
Jacky Kessler kept the Lady Flames alive after Van Noord prevented the High Point midfielder from scoring. Liberty scored on its next kick, but Kauzlarich missed the one after that. In the end, Paige Lloyd and Bailey Beattie each scored and gave High Point the 2014 BSC Championship.
Kessler was named the BSC Tournament MVP. The Lady Flames finish the season 14-4-2.
Carter is a sports reporter.
Haywood is the asst. sports editor.