Season Outlook: Flames, Lady Flames prep for exciting fall campaigns

With the start of the Fall 2026 semester right around the corner, Liberty University’s NCAA Division I athletics teams competing this fall are preparing to take their respective fields, courts, and courses by storm. Follow the action at LibertyFlames.com.

Women’s Soccer

As the first Liberty Athletics program to take the field this fall, the Lady Flames Soccer team is looking to replicate last season’s success, after going 14-4-4 overall with a 6-0-2 Conference USA record.

Liberty was picked to finish first with nine first-place votes in the 2026 Conference USA Preseason Coaches Poll. Fifth-year forward Halle Engle and senior defender Lauren Littleton were selected for the Offensive and Defensive Preseason Players of the Year, respectively. Five players were selected to the Preseason All-Conference Team, along with Engle and Littleton includes senior goalkeeper Peyton Huber, senior defender Sallie Garner and senior midfielder Avenley Monteith.

The Lady Flames opened their season at home with a 2-0 win over East Carolina last Thursday. They next travel to Blacksburg, Va., for a clash against in-state rival Virginia Tech on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Men’s Soccer

The Flames look to get their season off to a hot start under first-year Head Coach Scott Wells. Wells joined the team after three years of success with Gardner Webb, where he led the Runnin’ Bulldogs to back-to-back 14-win seasons. Liberty finished the 2025 campaign with a 9-5-6 record (4-2-4 in conference play).

Liberty will open the season on the West Coast with matches against San Diego State and San Diego on Aug. 20 and 23, respectively, before returning home to host Florida Gulf Coast at Osbourne Stadium on Aug. 28.

Women’s Volleyball

The Lady Flames enter the 2026 campaign after recording a 20-10 finish last season, including 8-8 in conference play. Second-year Head Coach Jeremy White will look to build on last year’s success as the team seeks the conference crown.

Liberty will begin the regular season with matches against Auburn, Akron, and Eastern Tennessee State, Aug. 28-29 in Johnson City, Tenn.

Cross Country

After dominating competition at the 2025 Conference USA Cross Country Championships, the Lady Flames hope to take home the conference title for the third consecutive season. The squad is headlined by junior Allie Zealand, who finished 21st in the women’s 6K at the 2025 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships to earn her first All-America honor.

The Flames will look to take back the CUSA men’s crown after finishing runner-up to Middle Tennessee a year ago.

Liberty Cross Country will kick off the year with the Eye Opener in Spartanburg, S.C. on Sept. 4. The 2026 Conference USA Cross Country Championships are set for Oct. 31 in Huntsville, Ala.

Field Hockey

Liberty Field Hockey will be vying for its fifth trip to the NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship in the last six years. The team posted a 17-3 overall record and perfect 7-0 BIG EAST mark in 2025, winning both the BIG EAST regular season title and BIG EAST Championship crown.

The team returns nine starters from last year’s squad, led by NFHCA All-America second team honoree and BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year Dara Semmartin. A few other key returners include last year’s BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, sophomore Diane Saint Martin, along with NFHCA All-South Region first team selection Josefina Tomasi. The squad will head up north for season-opening clashes against Maine and UMass on Aug. 28-29.

Football

After the team’s first losing season in over 20 years, Coach Jamey Chadwell and his staff aim to right the ship and regain the CUSA crown. The Flames open the 2026 year with a Battle of the Blue Ridge clash against in-state rival James Madison on Sept. 5.

The 2026 campaign will include six home games and will also feature non-conference clashes with Ball State and Coastal Carolina.

Wide receiver Jamari Person, offensive lineman DJ Geth, defensive lineman Mike Jarvis, linebacker Deuce Spurlock, and punt returner Dairus Copeland were named Liberty’s selection for the Conference USA 2026 preseason watch list.

In addition, center Aaron Fenimore has been named to the 2026 HERO Sports Group of Six Preseason All-American second team as well as to the 2026 Rimington Trophy watch list. The Remington Trophy will be awarded to the top center in the country at the conclusion of the 2026 season.

Liberty will host a free Meet the Team event on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 2-4 p.m., providing Flames Nation the opportunity to get to know Flames Football players before the opening kickoff. The event will include interviews with Liberty Vice President and Director of Athletics Ian McCaw and Flames Head Coach Jamey Chadwell, plus a talent show featuring many of Liberty’s football players. The Spirit of the Mountain marching band, Liberty Cheerleading Team, and Liberty Dance team will also perform in conjunction with Meet the Team.

During the hour before the event begins, fans can enjoy game day inflatables in the Indoor Practice Facility and food from local vendors and food trucks.

The highlight of the pre-event schedule includes a tour of Liberty’s football facilities, providing fans with a one-of-a-kind chance to see many unique areas used on game day.

Season tickets are on sale now for the 2026 season. Buying season tickets remains the best cost-saving option to watch Flames Football at Williams Stadium in 2026.

Starting at just $90, fans can save up to 56 percent by purchasing season tickets. Purchase tickets by going to www.LUFootball.com or calling/texting the Flames Ticket Office at (434) 592-5015.