Field Hockey senior Daniella Rhodes becomes Fourth Flame in History to Reach 50 Goals

Senior Daniella Rhodes has stepped into the spotlight as one of the most decorated field hockey players in Liberty University history, and now she is a record-holder. 

 Her goal scored against Queens Sept. 11 propelled her to 50 career goals, becoming just the fourth player in program history to achieve this feat. 

On top of this, Rhodes was named Big East Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and has already earned Big East Offensive Player of the Week honors after her six goals in the first two games of the season propelled the Flames to a 2-0 start.  

Rhodes’ story, however, stretches far beyond being a goal-scoring machine. 

Her field hockey career began in her hometown of Durban, South Africa. Rhodes debuted on the sports scene by playing team hockey during her final three years in high school.  While doing so, she also had the chance to represent the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. Rhodes was a member of the U16 KwaZulu-Natal “A” team and went on to make the U18 “A” team, becoming captain of the U18 team in the process. She would also excel in the U21 squad later on.  

Given all these accomplishments in South Africa, let alone the slew of accolades accumulated at Liberty thus far, Rhodes’ focus remains the same as the motto Head Coach Nikki Parsley-Blocker used for the team this season: So what?  

“I just think coming out of last season, we’re not bringing it into this season,” Rhodes said. “We have so many new girls and so many girls have left. We are attacking this season with a brand new look, and we don’t compare ourselves to any team before, which is great, because we always strive to be better, and we look to have a fresh start.” 

Rhodes hopes to add to her accolades this season as the Lady Flames attempt a return to the National Championship. 

Palermo is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion. Follow him on Twitter