Lehman Scores Game Winner, Liberty Knocks Off Virginia Tech 15-14 in Overtime

Mackenzie Lehman Game-Winning Goal

Sophomore Mackenzie Lehman scored the game-winning goal 1:15 into overtime, giving Liberty a 15-14 overtime victory at Virginia Tech on Wednesday afternoon at Thompson Field.

The victory is the Lady Flames' first win in program history over the Hokies in what was the 10th all-time meeting between the two teams. Liberty trailed 13-9 heading into the fourth quarter but scored five of the six goals in the final 15 minutes of regulation to force overtime.

Liberty's victory is its first of the season, as the Lady Flames improve to 2-2. Virginia Tech, who was among others receiving votes in the ILWomen//IWLCA Division I Top 25 Poll, drops to 2-2 on the year.

Liberty attacker Brooke Bryan established a new program record for career free-position goals in the contest. Bryan's first free-position goal of the afternoon, coming at the 5:06 mark of the first quarter, gave her the record-setting 29th free-position goal. She later added another free-position tally in the second period (7:04) to bring her total to 30 career free-position goals. Coming into the game, Bryan had been tied for the school record with Carly White (28 FPG, 2017-21) and Sam Struss (28 FPG, 2012-15).

Thoughts From Head Coach Kelly Nangle

"Today was a big day for our program. I am really proud of how our girls dig in and find a way. We have gotten better with each game we've played this season, which is exactly where we want to be. We learned a lot from Saturday's game that we were able to apply to today's game that made us better. This was a great win against a great team. We are excited to keep growing. Go Flames!"           

Scoring Summary

Liberty Goals: Brooke Bryan 3, Jordan Baerga 3, Mackenzie Lehman 2, Olivia Glaze 2, Lizzy Ferguson 1, Mia Toscano 1, Andrea Colavito 1, Jordan Sheive 1

Liberty Assists: Andrea Colavito 1, Mia Toscano 1

Virginia Tech Goals: Sarah Lubnow 3, Sophie Student 3, Claire Schotta 3, Olivia Vergano 2, Whitney Liebler 2, Paige Tyson 1

Virginia Tech Assists: Sarah Lubnow 4, Paige Tyson 2

Goalkeepers

W: Jennifer Soriero 1-1, eight saves

L: Morgan Berman 2-2, 10 saves

Turning Point

Liberty trailed 13-9 heading into the fourth period but closed regulation on a 5-1 run to send the game to overtime. The Lady Flames tied the game with 3:46 left on sophomore attacker Jordan Baerga's third goal of the day, assisted by Andrea Colavito. Liberty had a chance to win during the closing seconds of regulation but Lehman's shot sailed wide.

In the extra session, Lizzy Ferguson won the opening draw for the Lady Flames. Liberty used the shot clock, with the ball eventually finding the stick of Lehman. The midfielder drove toward the left side of the goal, cut off a Virginia Tech defender and flipped a shot past Hokies goalkeeper Morgan Berman into the left side of the cage. Lehman's second goal of the day and eighth of the season gave Liberty the come-from-behind 15-14 victory.

First Half Summary

• Liberty took a 5-2 lead after one quarter after two goals apiece from Bryan and Ferguson and one from Mia Toscano. The Lady Flames' biggest lead of the day of four goals (7-3) came at the 7:04 mark of the second quarter courtesy of a Bryan free-position goal.

• The Hokies closed the opening stanza on a 6-1 run to take an 8-7 lead into the locker room. Claire Schotta scored her second goal of the match with just two seconds remaining to give the hosts the one-goal edge.

Second Half and Overtime Summary

• Virginia Tech carried over its momentum into the second half, scoring four of the first five goals to take a 12-8 lead. The Hokies outscored the Lady Flames 5-2 in the third period, capped off by Sarah Lubnow's third goal of the contest with 1:08 to play in the quarter.

• Liberty entered the fourth quarter facing a four-goal deficit (13-9). The Lady Flames' Baerga scored twice in the fourth, as did sophomore midfielder Olivia Glaze. Glaze's second goal of the frame brought the visitors within a goal, 13-12, with 9:58 remaining. Virginia Tech led by two with 7:13 on the clock after another goal from Schfotta, but Colavito kept the Lady Flames within one following her goal with 4:30 left.

• Liberty never allowed Virginia Tech to possess the ball in overtime.

Key Stats & Notes

• Liberty held edges in caused turnovers (10-6), ground balls (17-14), shots (29-28), free-position goals (5-3) and free-position percentage (.625-.600).

• Virginia Tech converted 100 percent of its clearing chances (16-of-16), while Liberty converted 91.3 percent of its opportunities (21-of-23). The Hokies won 18 draw controls, compared to 15 for Liberty.

• This is the first time in program history that Liberty has played back-to-back overtime games. The Lady Flames also went to overtime in their home opener against Richmond, falling 13-12 to the Spiders. The last time Liberty played two overtime games in a season was in 2015.

• Colavito paced the Lady Flames with a career-best four draw controls. Student led Virginia Tech with a game-high nine draws.

• Glaze and defender Alexa Evernham shared game-high honors with four ground balls each.

Up Next

• Liberty will return home to face Old Dominion (1-3) next Wednesday. Game time is 3 p.m. at the Liberty Lacrosse Field.

• Liberty and ODU met during the 2021 season, a 14-8 Lady Flames road victory. The all-time series between the Lady Flames and Monarchs is tied 3-3.