Women’s D1 Hockey Sweeps Maryville Lady Saints In Weekend Series

Liberty University’s Women’s Division I Hockey team faced off against the Maryville Lady Saints Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 for a clean sweep weekend against ACHA’s No. 1-ranked team. 

The Lady Flames had their first ever Midnight Mayhem game Nov. 1, where they debuted their new midnight blue and red sweaters.

Because Maryville leads the conference with a 9-5 record, the weekend sweep gives Liberty an advantage in rankings. Liberty is not far behind them at No. 3 with a 3-1 record. 

The first period remained quiet until the Lady Saints collected their first penalty of the game on freshman right wing Haley Beckett for roughing. The Lady Flames were granted the first power play but were unable to capitalize on the advantage.

Liberty went into the second period with an advantage, being the first to put one in the back of the net. The first goal of the game came from junior forward Brookelyn Beauchamp assisted by freshman forward Hayley Lee three minutes into the period.

Not long after the first goal, Liberty picked up its first penalty on senior forward Haley Battles for roughing. The Lady Flames managed to keep the Lady Saints at bay by killing the penalty. Maryville picked up its second penalty on junior right wing Chloe Tenboer for interference at the 16:19 mark.

The game headed into the third period with Liberty still in the lead at 1-0. Liberty collected its final penalty of the game from sophomore forward Victoria Khou for tripping, but the Lady Flames successfully killed off the one-man disadvantage.

The Lady Saints managed to squeeze in one goal with three minutes remaining in the game from graduate forward Sydney Poisson off an assist by junior forward Sophie Brennan. Maryville’s goal tied the game, sending it into overtime at 1-1.

In overtime, both teams came out strong with multiple shots on goal. Liberty managed to score first, hitting one off the crossbar and turning the missed shot into a goal from Battles assisted by sophomore forward Ellie Sarauer. The Lady Flames took home the overtime victory in their first Midnight Mayhem game with a final score of 2-1.

The two teams faced off again just over 12 hours later. Maryville was seeking redemption while Liberty was looking to shut things down.

The Lady Flames put a point on the board first with a goal from senior forward Zosia Adamek. She was assisted by senior forward Brielle Fussy and Sarauer, giving Liberty its first lead. 

Battles received her first penalty of the game for tripping, but her fellow teammates successfully killed off her penalty. Maryville faced its first penalty and put Liberty on the power play, which allowed the Lady Flames to put another one into the back of the net. Liberty’s second goal came from junior defenseman Emerson Oakes, who was assisted by Beauchamp and freshman forward Presley Ellis.

At the end of the first period, Liberty led Maryville 2-0. In the second period, Battles gained her second penalty of the game for hooking, but her fellow Lady Flames killed it off. Maryville faced another penalty from junior defenseman Paige Dawson for hooking. 

Liberty capitalized off this power play with a goal from sophomore defenseman Sophia Adamek, who was assisted by senior defenseman Madison Glynn. Sophia Adamek’s goal extended Liberty’s lead to 3-0 to end the second period.

The final period  began with the Lady Flames netting their fourth goal of the game from Zosia Adamek. Maryville’s senior forward Sarah Brooks received her first penalty for tripping, resulting in another Liberty power play.

The Lady Flames scored their third power-play goal from Battles assisted by Sarauer and Oakes. Maryville responded with three minutes left in the final period with a goal from Beckett, who was assisted by junior forward Elle Rutherford. The Lady Saints again fell short against the Lady Flames with a 5-1 final score to complete Liberty’s clean sweep.

“I thought having a Midnight Mayhem game was an awesome experience,” Head Coach Chris Lowes said. “It’s something new for our program, so I think it’s something that we’ll see now on a regular basis that our girls can look forward to.”

The Lady Flames will be back in action Nov. 7 against Midland University at 9:15 p.m. in Chesterfield, Missouri. 

Schlösser is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion.