Field hockey freshman Alivia Klopp writes her name on the team

There was one minute, 45 seconds left in the game when the play-by-play announcer for Liberty field hockey called for SportsCenter to put the following play on the top-10 plays. Liberty and Virginia were tied at two.

Junior defenseman Mallory Fortenbaugh passed the ball to senior midfielder Agueda Moroni from the corner. Moroni took the shot, which looked too far right, and out of nowhere freshman midfielder Alivia Klopp came diving in and redirected the ball into the goal.

“My first initial thought was ‘great we scored,’ but now we still have about a minute 45 seconds left in the game, so we just needed to focus more and finish out the game strong,” Klopp said.

At the time of Klopp’s goal, Liberty was tied at two with Virginia after being down 2-0 at halftime. However, the freshman knew the Flames still had work to do. There was 1:45 left in the game, which gave Virginia plenty of time to tie the game. As time wound down, Liberty held off Virginia for the win, not allowing a shot after going up 3-2.

“After we finished the win, we were super excited because we knew that that was one of the games that would definitely help us in our rankings,” Klopp said. “So, we just knew that it was an important win, but then we were focused on the next game to come.”

Since the game-winner, Klopp has received a lot more attention, not just at a school or regional level, but at a national level. Klopp was featured on SportsCenter with the number nine play on SportsCenter’s top-10 plays in September.

Klopp, a freshman from Tulpehocken High School in Bernville, Pa., came into the season after her senior year in high school where she earned all-county and all-state honors after scoring 52 goals in 24 games. She also broke her county’s record with 130 goals across four seasons. She wants to be able to adapt to Liberty’s system in the most effective way she can.

“I hope that I can just contribute to the best way that the coaches need me to,” Klopp said. “Even on and off the field, just be the most positive player that I can.”

Klopp is third on the team in both goals and assists this season, contributing two goals on five shots on goal in the last three games since the game-winner against Virginia.

Klopp said it didn’t feel like it was the first couple games they’ve played together. 

She said she loves that her teammates are always positive, helpful and outgoing. Klopp has been dreaming of this opportunity since middle school, and she seems to be content with where
she is currently.

“I started off looking at playing field hockey in college when I was about in eighth grade, and Liberty was one of the first camps that I actually attended,” Klopp said. “So, ever since then it just kind of felt like home
coming back.”

Klopp said she feels that she is where she is meant to be, and though it is much faster-paced and more difficult than high school, college field hockey is fun. She also said that she feels no pressure being a freshman and starting for this team. 

“This season I just hope to grow as a player, to be a part of the team as much as I can,” Klopp said.

She looks to continue to contribute and make an impact on the team in the areas they need to win and succeed.

See Klopp next in action Sunday, Oct. 7 when they play against number one in the country North Carolina at the Liberty Field Hockey and Lacrosse Fields.