Liberty University Flames

Liberty gets back on the road to face the Pittsburgh Panthers on Tuesday.

The game marks the fourth road match out of six on the season for the Lady Flames (1-4) and are seeking its first win away from Lynchburg. First draw between Liberty and Pitt (3-4) is set for 4 p.m. from Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Liberty has faced three nationally ranked teams on the road to begin the season. The Lady Flames have squared off with No. 1 North Carolina, No. 11 Duke and No. 21 Richmond on the road so far this spring. Liberty also hosted No. 8 James Madison last Wednesday, its fourth ranked foe of the year.

Pitt is coming off a 19-6 road loss to Virginia Tech on Saturday. The Panthers are 1-1 at home to begin the season, with the win coming from their season opener against Duquesne.

Tuesday will be the first meeting between the two teams. Pitt is in its second year as a Division I women’s lacrosse program.

Lady Flames News and Notes

• Liberty midfielder Lizzy Ferguson looks to continue to build on her strong season that sees her at 10th in the nation in draw controls per game with 7.60 per game, a total of 38. The senior also has eight goals (tied for first on team), one assist, nine points three ground balls and five caused turnovers.

• As a team, Liberty ranks 17th in the nation in caused turnovers per game at 10.20. Liberty’s defense is led in caused turnovers by Grace Loughery (seven), Mikayla Coghill (seven) and Hannah Davis (six).

• The Lady Flames’ offense this season has been led by a trio that have scored eight goals apiece Ferguson is joined by Cami Merkel and Mackenzie Lehman to lead Liberty in the category. Lehman shares the team lead in assists with Jordan Sheive, as they have five each.

• Liberty’s Grace Loughery ranks No. 47 in the nation and No. 2 in the ASUN in ground balls per game at 2.60.

• Liberty goalkeeper Mara Tellers is coming off a career-best 11 saves against No. 8 James Madison on Wednesday.

• The Lady Flames are looking to avoid a 1-5 start to the season. The last time Liberty started the season with such a record was in 2015 (1-6 start).

• Liberty is facing a tough Pitt defense that has two players with eight caused turnovers in Emily Coughlin and Abby Thorne. The Lady Flames also look to beat Panthers’ goalkeeper Hannah Van Middelem, who is among the top 50 in save percentage (No. 43, .467), and saves per game (No. 26, 9.50).

• Pitt’s offense is headed by Maeve Murray with 13 goals this season. Murray will test the Lady Flames’ free position defense, as the Pitt sophomore is No. 39 in free position goals per game (0.83) and No. 8 in free position percentage (.833).

• Liberty will also face No. 12 Notre Dame (4-2) on this road trip on Sunday. The Fighting Irish will be the fifth ranked foe the Lady Flames will face in only seven games so far this year.

Main Photo at Top of Story: No. 10 Katelyn Weissend

Schedule

Lady Flames Travel to Pitt for Spring Break, Play Fourth Road Game on Tuesday