Lady flames victory over Tennessee Tech
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The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles made the trip to the Mountain to face the Liberty Flames in a women’s soccer interconference matchup Friday, Aug. 25.
The Lady Flames entered Friday’s matchup against the Golden Eagles with hopes of maintaining their unblemished 2-0 record and extending their win streak. Tennessee Tech, however, came to the Hill City looking to capture its first victory and end its early 0-1-1 skid.
The motivation for Liberty to keep its early momentum going carried a bit more meaning that most years. Last season, the team departed from the ASUN after a disappointing end in the conference final, in which it lost at home to Florida Gulf Coast University during penalty kicks.
“We are blessed to have a lot of returning players, and we had a great season last year,” Lady Flames Head Coach Lang Wedemeyer said. “Obviously, we were disappointed not to win the conference championship, but moving into Conference USA, I think, is going to breathe a little bit of new life … We are excited to build off the foundation from last year.”
In the first half of the game, the Flames displayed dominant ball control as the ball had been in Tennessee Tech territory for the vast majority of the first 45 minutes. The Flames had a few quality opportunities early, such as a great shot attempt in the 17th minute of action from senior Rachel DeRuby. But, a solid in-goal presence from Tennessee Tech goalkeeper Maggie Conrad kept the game at a scoreless stalemate.
As both teams continued trading possessions, the Golden Eagles were presented with a scoring opportunity in the 23rd minute. Solid defense from junior goalkeeper Ainsley Leja kept the scoreboard blank, ending the first half of play on the same note.
Eager to light up the scoreboard, the Lady Flames started the second half strong, with two great scoring opportunities in the 50th and 51st minutes, both of which came up empty due to stellar concentration and defensive skills from Conrad.
The Flames recorded two shots on goal to start the final third, but good positioning from the Golden Eagles kept the match scoreless.
Then, in the 68th minute of the match, as the sun set over Osborne Stadium, Flames graduate midfielder Saydie Holland fought through traffic to get the ball across the line and into the back of the net, putting Liberty up 1-0.
The Flames goal created a sense of urgency for the Golden Eagles, but Tennessee Tech’s energy was matched by the Flames, who kept the ball on the Golden Eagles’ side of the pitch for the following six minutes of the match.
In the 85th minute, freshman defender Katy Gregson got a spectacular assist from Holland en route to netting the Flames’ second goal of the night, and the first of what should be many in her college career.
The Flames would then control the ball for the rest of the match, managing to pull off the shutout over the Golden Eagles with a final score of 2-0.
With the victory, the Lady Flames maintain their perfect record, moving to 3-0 on the season.
“I think we can be better than we were last year,” Holland said after the match. “Obviously, we are focused on every single game, taking the season one game at a time … We are excited for the next game, excited for the season, but we are definitely ring-seeking this year.”
The Lady Flames hit the road after Friday’s triumph to take on UNC Wilmington on Aug. 27, notching a 3-0 win over the Seahawks. Liberty will be back at Osborne Stadium Sunday, Sept. 3rd, taking on the West Virginia Mountaineers at 1 p.m. in the Hill City.
Weissinger is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion. Follow him on X