Lady Flames lacrosse team remains undefeated in ASUN play with 22-8 victory
The rain did not dampen the outpour of Flames, as the women’s lacrosse team scorched the Lindenwood Lions 22-8 in its final home appearance of the season on April 22.
The victory improved the Lady Flames record to 10-6 over the year and 6-0 in the ASUN. The contest was originally scheduled to be played at noon but was moved to 10 a.m. in fear of inclement weather. However, the game was delayed by almost two hours due to said inclement weather.
When the action finally commenced, junior attacker Jordan Sheive started the Flames off early, scoring an unassisted goal in the first 20 seconds of play. The Lions would answer with their own goal with 11:52 left in the first, but junior midfielder Tori Banks netted her first of the day a mere 10 seconds later.
The Lions tied up the game at two apiece at the 10-minute mark, but the Flames would hold them scoreless until the 5:50 mark in the second quarter. Liberty extended its lead in the second to 11-2, closing out the first half with a 12-4 advantage.
The second half featured the same level of onslaught by the Flames, who added five points in both the third and fourth quarters. Senior midfielder Lizzy Ferguson led the charge for the Flames, scoring a career-high six goals and setting a program record of 18 draw controls during the match.
“I just feel joy,” Ferguson said. “I was just having fun with my friends. I feel it was pretty crazy how the whole day went. We could have played this game at the normal time, but in true Liberty lacrosse fashion, it was just perfect. We got to hang out in the locker room together, dance together and have extra time together before the game. I’m going to remember it forever.”
Ferguson also had one assist on the day, aiding sophomore midfielder Lucy Shimek in her first career goal as a Flame.
The Flames will now travel to Delaware State to finish out the regular season with a game against the Hornets on April 29. Delaware is currently 2-13 on the season and 0-6 in conference play.
“There’s a lot riding on it. We want to be the regular season champs and want to get that one seed,” Flames’ Head Coach Kelly Nangle said. “We’re going to have a week to prepare, which is nice. I’m excited to lock in, finish the season strong and get into the postseason ready to go.”
Liberty has never achieved a perfect ASUN record but looks to gain one this season and claim its first ASUN Championship. Liberty clinched second place the past three years, falling to Jacksonville state each time.
Jacksonville has won the ASUN championship eight of the past nine seasons and is currently second seed, holding a 5-1 ASUN record.
“I’m just so grateful to be in a position where we can go into the conference tournament confident in the No. 1 seed,” Ferguson said. “We get to wear our white jerseys on Jacksonville’s field, which is huge for us. We’re feeling super confident right now.”
Wilson is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion