Lady Flames Field Hockey team to join BIG EAST for 2016 season

Starting next fall, Liberty University’s field hockey team will become an affiliate member of the BIG EAST Conference and will be eligible to compete for the conference championship.

During the 2016 field hockey season, the BIG EAST Conference will be comprised of the following eight teams: Connecticut, Georgetown, Liberty, Old Dominion, Providence, Temple, Villanova, and Quinnipiac, another addition.

Liberty posted a 3-0 record against the current members of the BIG EAST in 2015, defeating No. 15 Old Dominion (2-1), Providence (4-3 in overtime) and Temple (3-2 in double OT).

The Lady Flames previously spent three years as a member of the NorPac Conference (2012-14), winning the conference title in 2013 and 2014 before competing as an independent during the 2015 season. Liberty posted 12-6 record this fall and was ranked No. 14 in the final NFHCA Division I Coaches Poll after spending three weeks in the top 10, reaching a program-best No. 8 ranking.

• Read the complete story on Liberty’s Athletics website.