Team News

The first Fall 2023 recruit for Liberty University’s ACHA Division I women’s hockey team will give the four-time-defending national champions two pairs of sisters next season when defenseman Sophia Adamek joins sophomore forward Zosia Adamek on a team that already features forwards Brityn and Brielle Fussy.

The Victoria, British Columbia, native and captain of her Shawnigan Lake Prep team said that having her sister as a teammate was one of the biggest draws for her in committing to the Lady Flames, which she made official during her visit over the weekend.

“One of the main things I’m most excited for in my college hockey career is to be able to experience a majority of it with my sister,” said Sophia, who graduated this past spring and is completing a gap year while playing her final season with Shawnigan. “Being able to grow as a hockey player and a person with my sister by my side is an opportunity I am very fortunate and thankful to have. I am also excited to meet new people and create long-lasting memories with new teammates.”

She was impressed by her second campus visit last November, when she stayed with Zosia in her dorm room.

“I got to experience the amazing environment that Liberty University has created for its students,” Sophia said. “Along with the beautiful campus and atmosphere, I chose Liberty because of its academics, outstanding hockey program, school culture, and kind people.”

Lady Flames sixth-year Head Coach Chris Lowes said Sophia has been on the team’s radar since first visiting Liberty with Zosia in Fall 2019.

“We could see then the potential in her as an impact player and have been excited to watch her continued development over the past three years,” he said. “Defensemen with Sophia’s skill set are hard to find.  Combine her talent as an athlete with who we know she is off the ice, and we couldn’t be happier with the start to our signing period for next fall.”

Lowes said she is an excellent athlete, a good student, and a skilled two-way defenseman who wants the puck on her stick.

“She is an elite skater that is difficult to defend,” he said. “She moves the puck well, can defend strong opponents, and has good hockey sense.  I anticipate the transition to the college game will be very smooth for Sophia. She will be a great addition to our locker room, and I expect her to have an impact on our team from the get-go.”

Adamek, who also played softball and soccer in high school and has an artistic side and enjoys making pottery and painting in her free time, is considering studying sport management at Liberty. She will complement her older sister on the ice with her offensive-minded defensive play.

“I believe I am an offensive defenseman who has the ability to create plays with my vision and hockey IQ,” she said. “While contributing in the offensive zone, I also love playing in the D-zone because of my quick decision making, shiftiness, and edge work. I want to bring a positive, open minded attitude to the team and an outstanding work ethic to allow myself and teammates to improve and grow.”