Back-to-Back Champs: Field Hockey wins BIG EAST title

After a 3-1 victory over No. 13 Old Dominion in in the BIG EAST Field Hockey Championship Nov. 6 at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex, Liberty University’s field hockey team once again hoisted the conference championship trophy and punched its ticket to the NCAA tournament.

The Lady Flames now sit at 12-7 on the season and have successfully defended their conferences title after emerging as BIG EAST champions in 2021.

Liberty entered the game ranked No. 19 in the country and No. 2 in conference rankings but demonstrated its skill in the gritty win over the Monarchs.

Liberty jumped to an early lead in the game, with senior forward Daniella Rhodes finding the back of the net with her 11^th goal of the year. This goal also marked her 56^th career goal, moving her into sole possession of second place in all-time in program history for career goals.

The Flames held the slim advantage for most of the game before surrendering a goal with just under ten minutes left in regulation

Liberty senior defender Bethany Dykema scored the game-winning goal in the 54^th minute. After senior defender Jodie Conolly’s initial shot was blocked, junior midfielder Reagan Underwood sent a ball from the middle of the circle onto the stick of Dykema, who put the ball past ODU goalkeeper Cam MacGillivray for a 2-1 lead.

ODU could not recover and an empty net goal by sophomore forward Martu Cian with 19 seconds left all but ensured a Lady Flames victory.

The victory was Liberty’s third top-25 win of the season and 13th over the past two years. It also marks the fourth time the Lady Flames have advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Last season, the Lady Flames had the best finish in program history, advancing all the way to the NCAA Championship game, before losing 2-0 to Northwestern.

Liberty now prepares for a battle against No. 3 Maryland as the Lady Flames are set to take the field against the Terps Nov. 11.

For full game coverage, visit LibertyFlames.com.