Liberty Women’s DI ice hockey remains in full swing since its first practice, the Sunday evening before class started Aug. 26, and will work hard to remain in competition mode until the end of March for the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) National Championships.
The Lady Flames, currently 13-1-2, recently returned from Michigan where they defeated University of Michigan in a 10-1 blowout. The team prides itself with a history of shutting out teams in 14 games last season and in two games in the current 2018-2019 season.
In the same trip to Michigan, Liberty also went head to head against Adrian College, where they found a different outcome.
“This past weekend we suffered our first loss this season and we went 0-1-1 against Adrian,” Head Coach Chris Lowes said. “We were down 3-0 in our second game against them, and we came back and tied 4-4. That was just a neat moment for our team just to find a way.”
According to Lowes, the different pace in play against Adrian was good for the team. Last year, the team held a winning streak of 19 games, many of which were not close in score, so it was exciting for them to be challenged.
“A lot of weekends, they score but you know there is more coming, whereas this weekend the girls were excited to score and every goal we scored this weekend was a big one,” Lowes said. “It was neat to see that fire in them and have a real love for the competition and for the game.”
The 2017-18 season marked Lowe’s first with the Lady Flames and their second time earning the ACHA national title. The team appeared in the last five straight semifinals of the championship and played in the last four straight national title games, winning the title in 2014 and 2018.
“Based on the skill level and talent on our team, we should be able to make nationals; we’ve just got to take care of business,” Lowes said. “It’s really more about being ready when we get there and taking that next step to get better every game, become a better team that’s harder working, with more chemistry and in better shape.”
Before his first season with the women last year, Lowes led the Men’s Division II hockey team for Liberty for nine years until LU Club Sports Athletic Director Kirk Handy approached him with the new opportunity.
“The biggest thing about the change was just that I had a new team,” Lowes said. “Hockey is hockey, there are some different nuances to the sport between men’s and women’s, but we are one year under our belt and did some awesome things.”
After his first year with the team, Lowes said he gained a better feel for the team, the league and what it takes to be successful. He learned how to lead individuals with different coaching styles and motivations and strengthened chemistry with the other coaching staff. With this foundation, the goal for the remainder of the season, in addition to spiritual, academic, and cultural team growth, is to secure the national title once again.
“We don’t hide the fact that that’s our goal,” Lowes said. “We have other goals along the way that are designed to get us there, but I think anything less than competing for a national title would be a disappointment on ice. We expect to be there and have a chance.”
The Lady Flames host the University of Rhode Island next at LaHaye Ice Center Nov. 10 at 1:30 p.m.