The Liberty University Women’s Soccer team hosted Old Dominion University (ODU) Sunday, Sept. 13 at Osborne Stadium, earning a 2-1 victory.
Liberty started the game with graduate student forward Halle Engle scoring the opening goal, assisted by senior midfielder Avenley Monteith, giving the Lady Flames the early 1-0 lead.
After the early goal, the first half remained physical and defensive. In the second half, ODU junior forward Hannah Morgan helped the Monarchs respond as ODU scored on a penalty kick to even the score 1-1.
Liberty maintained a strong performance in goal. Graduate student goalie Grace Workman led with two saves, senior goalie Peyton Huber made a save and graduate student goalie Ainsley Leja finished with one save to preserve the tie.
Later in the half, freshman forward Izzie Smulik scored a goal at the 70:22 mark to bring home the win 2-1. Smulik was assisted by freshman midfielder Audrey Heustis and senior defender Lauren Littleton.
“(Heustis) played a beautiful ball straight on my foot, and I kept on driving and noticed the goalie was out, so I decided to chip it in with my right,” Smulik said.
The Lady Flames improved their record to 7-2-1. Conference play begins at home in Osborne Stadium Sept. 26 against Western Kentucky University at 11:30 a.m.
Frey is a sports reporter for The Liberty Champion.