Last Minute Heroics

Saturday was packed with homecoming events and  ended with a successful women’s soccer game against Winthrop.  An unseasonably warm day turned into a crisp fall evening, for a supportive crowd.

Defense was the thematic element in this game, but in the first half, the Lady Flames played aggressively, outshooting Winthrop five to four. Twice, the Eagles had two breakaway goal opportunities but were unable to convert.  The Lady Flames had opportunities to score on five corner kicks but were not able to find holes in the Eagles defense.

Momentum slid in Winthrop’s favor in the second half as the Eagles took advantage of their limited possessions, pushing the ball on breakaway shots.  At the end of regulation, the score remained 0-0.

In overtime, it took only seven minutes for the Lady Flames to score. Forward Casey Norris scorched a goal into the right corner of the net with an  assist by Bekah Moye, giving the squad the victory.

“All I remember is being told to get into the box. I just remember the ball going into the back part of the net,” Norris said.

“I thought the girls fought well and we came out with a win,” Head Coach Jessica Hain said. “It’s a good confidence builder to win our first conference game so it’s strength to move through the Big South.”

Ashley Nyholt played a solid game as goalkeeper posting a shutout with five saves. Maria Owen showed determination on the offensive end attempting six of Liberty’s eleven shots and gathering a yellow card in the 83rd minute.

The victory help improve the Lady Flames record to 4-7-2 and also gave them their first conference win of the season while Winthrop fell to 1-8-1.

“As a team we performed very well,” Norris said.  “In overtime coach spoke to us and it got us really pumped up again.  We didn’t want to go home with a loss rather than a win.”

Liberty’s next game is at home against conference foe Gardner-Webb, October 11.