Flames claim the ALC trophy

It’s been a long time coming. After defeating Tennessee 17-13 in the ALC championship game, the Liberty University men’s lacrosse team regained its conference championship title April 27-28 at Lynchburg City Stadium.

The Flames haven’t won a conference title since 2021 against Clemson University. After not making the playoffs in 2022, the Flames were ready to take on Virginia Tech in the finals in 2023. In a heartbreaking loss last April, the Hokies won 14-13, and their successes against the Flames continued into 2024 as the Hokies dominated Liberty throughout the regular season. Determined to beat Tech in their semifinals rematch, the Flames advanced to the championship game, winning 18-14. 

After the Flames started off strong against Tech and held the lead, the Hokies turned around in the third quarter, scoring five straight goals. After losing the lead and finding themselves in a hole, the Flames had to decide how to answer.

“Coach asked us how we were going to respond,” junior long-stick midfielder Benjamin Chun said. “We responded well and came back and won.”

Liberty played a full four quarters of gritty and focused lacrosse against Virginia Tech. Using their speed, agility and strength to push their opponent to the limit, the Flames kept Tech out of the box. 

“I haven’t beaten them since my freshman year,” senior midfielder Keaton Mohs said. “We were due for a win.”

The crowd and players erupted with joy once the final whistle blew. While the win was relieving for the Flames, their eyes remained on the goal itself: the ALC crown. And they faced a turnaround to get ready to fight for it.

“We’ve got to ride this high,” Mohs said. “We’ll celebrate a lot harder tomorrow with some hardware.”

The team’s biggest challenge was resetting for the game the next day, but they proved they could do that. The Flames’ exceptional defense caused turnovers and blocked shots that allowed the offense to create opportunities.

Junior defenseman Conor Guiltinan was named Player of the Game versus Virginia Tech and tournament defensive MVP. 

“(Guiltinan is) fantastic for us,” Head Coach Kyle McQuillan said. “Stats don’t speak as loudly as it does watching him in the stands.” 

Tennessee attacker Alex Hempstead won 24 face-offs during the match, causing Liberty to adjust its defense and work around one another.

“We knew (Hempstead) was a bit quicker on the claim,” Guiltinan said. “We just needed to work together to get those ground balls.” 

Knowing they wouldn’t win as many face-offs as they would like, the Flames accepted this and worked to help each other create success on defense.

Mohs, who was named Player of the Game versus Tennessee and offensive MVP over the weekend with his nine goals and eight assists, helped lead the Flames to victory. Mohs started both games with an assist and goal that fueled the fire beneath the Flames.

“I’m a senior, so everything is more special,” Mohs said. “(I’m) doing it for the guys, helping the team out any way I can.”

This team has a special dynamic, encouraging one another throughout the entire game and creating success for one another. Each player had an exceptional game, resulting in a much-needed weekend for the Flames. 

“We are tenacious. We are tough,” McQuillan said. “I’m very proud of them.” 

Senior attacker Braden Landry scored eight goals for the Flames over the weekend alongside sophomore attacker Luke Branham with four goals and junior midfielder Will Geary with five goals.

“Our team played great; we played such a complete game,” Chun said. “It’s a team win.”

While winning the conference championship was thrilling for the Flames, they are looking ahead to playing in the MCLA Nationals in Round Rock, Texas, next week. The team will practice, prep and prepare for the opponents it will face in Texas. Staying patient and disciplined will bring each player to achieve great opportunities during the game.

“We are not going to change things,” McQuillan said.

“(We will) continue to do what we have done all year and continue to get better.” 

Young is a sports reporter.