Lady Flames D1 Hockey Team Begins Season With 7-2 Sweep

The Liberty Women’s D1 Hockey team began its 2025 games facing off at home against the Hockey Training Institute for the second time this season, ending in a 7-2 sweep.
The two teams previously went head-to-head Sept. 21 and Sept. 22, 2024, with final scores of 11-1 and 4-2 for a Liberty sweep.
Despite being down two of their powerhouse players, the Lady Flames managed to hold their ground on home ice. Senior forwards Haley Battles and Brielle Fussy were absent due to being in Torino, Italy providing their talents to Team USA in the 2025 Winter World University Games.
The Lady Flames defeated HTI 11-2 on Jan. 17 to open up the weekend. This score was reminiscent of the two teams’ first meeting this season when the Lady Flames won 11-1.

Photo by Anna Wheat | @annawheatphotography
The Lady Flames were quick to get the puck in the net with a goal from senior defenseman Sammy Peebles who was assisted by freshman forward Presley Ellis 3:44 into the first period.
Graduate student defenseman Peyton Carle netted a goal of her own 9:57 into the first period, quickly followed by another Liberty goal from Ellis who was assisted by senior defenseman Madison Glynn and sophomore defensemen Sophia Adamek.
The Lady Flames led HTI 3-0 to end the first period. At 2:85 into the second period, HTI’s defenseman Lucie Stepanova gained the team its first goal of the game.
It seemed as if this would be a one-score period until Liberty freshman defenseman Isabelle Pelletier found the back of the net off an assist from sophomore forwards Ellie Sarauer and Tristan Craig.
HTI answered back with a goal from forward Nicol Prihodova who was assisted by forward Makayla Stoermer and defenseman Sena Yavuz.
HTI’s goal brought the score up to 4-2. The Lady Flames extended their lead when Lownsbury tucked one in off an assist from junior forward Brookelyn Beauchamp and senior forward Isabella Hervert.
This goal was Lownsbury’s first during her career with the Lady Flames.
To close out the second period, the score remained 5-2. HTI came out hot during the third period but failed to capitalize on any plays.
The third period remained quiet until Sarauer netted her first goal of the game unassisted. Craig swiftly followed with a goal of her own off an assist from Ellis and freshman forward Hayley Lee.
Liberty locked in a weekend sweep with a 7-2 final score. Seven different Lady Flames scored during this game.
The Lady Flames will return to the ice Jan. 30 as they face off against Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri at 9:15 p.m.
Schlösser is the assistant sports editor for the Liberty Champion.