Flames Field Hockey Wins Big East Championship

A14-game winning streak, 7-0 in the Big East conference and ranked No. 8 in the nation are just a few accomplishments that sum up the Lady Flames field hockey season, but none are as impressive as Big East champions.

After years of heartbreak and missed opportunities, Liberty finally achieved its first-ever Big East championship Nov. 7, beating UConn 1-0. The victory brought an end to the Husky’s nine-year streak as champions. The Lady Flames were also given an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship tournament as a result of the win.

The game almost started off very poorly for the Lady Flames as UConn appeared to have scored a goal in the first 30 seconds. Unfortunately for UConn, the goal would be called back after a review when the officials deemed the Huskies guilty of a third-party infraction. Defenses would hold strong the rest of the half as the score stayed at 0-0 with only one shot on goal.

Liberty would break the tie with three minutes left in the third period to take a 1-0 lead. Senior forward Jill Bolton got a steal and finished a breakaway goal, putting it between the goalie’s legs. It would end up being the lone goal of the game. 

Bolton was happy to score after the offense struggled to find the back of the net during the first half. 

“It was just a long time coming,” Bolton said in an interview with the Big East. “Just didn’t happen when we wanted it to in the first half.” 

The defenses on both sides held strong throughout the game, but the Liberty defense was great down the stretch. UConn had two penalty corners in the last 10 minutes of the game but could not get any shots to go in. The Huskies also had a one-player advantage after pulling their goalie but could not get any offensive momentum. 

As the clock hit zero, the Lady Flames began celebrating the culmination of all the hard work this season and the reward the Lady Flames had to show for it. Bolton walked through her feelings after the game in an interview with the Big East. 

“So many emotions, just it’s been so long, and we’ve worked so hard for this moment, it was icing on the cake,” Bolton said. “It’s just a testament to the hard work we put in. We just have to play the way we can, and we will come out on top if we play the way we know how to play.”

This also marked the first championship under Head Coach Nikki Parsley-Blocker, who was proud of her team after the win.

“It’s so exciting. I just think of all the work you put in to get to this point. Certainly, the results are exciting but so much work went into it,” Parsley-Blocker said in an interview with the Big East. “I just think of all the people that have impacted the program, and I wish they were all here.”

Parlsey-Blocker is certain that the team could go farther in nationals. 

“Yeah, I think we can win a national championship,” Parsley-Blocker said. “I think every single year, if we get to the tournament, we can make a run. I think if you don’t think your team can do that then why are you coaching? So, we’re so excited, and we’re grateful to the opportunity to finally be there.”

Bolton was named Big East Field Hockey Championship MVP. She was also part of the All-Tournament Team along with teammates Daniella Rhodes, Charlotte Vaanhold and Bethany Dykema. Three UConn players also made the team. 

This is the third time in program history that the Lady Flames have reached nationals, though its two previous trips came when the Lady Flames competed in the now defunct NorPac Conference. 

The Lady Flames will open their NCAA tournament campaign against Saint Joseph’s Nov. 12 at 1:30 p.m. in Piscataway, New Jersey. Stay tuned for more coverage online as we break down Liberty’s bracket. 

Harper is a sports reporter. Follow him on Twitter.