The Shadow
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (VR) – Defense stood tall while Halle Engle and Margaret Garner’s second-half tallies led Liberty (4-2-1) to a 2-0 road win at William & Mary (0-4-1) on Thursday night. Liberty held William & Mary without a shot on goal in the contest, holding them to three total shots in 90 minutes.
The two programs played a scoreless first half. Liberty controlled possession, but neither team was threatening the goal. The Lady Flames managed three shots on goal.
The Lady Flames gained the lead shortly into the first half. In the 50th minute, forward Halle Engle unleashed a perfect blast from 45 yards out, sending her shot past a diving Tribe goalkeeper to the far corner.
Liberty capped the game off in the final five minutes of the contest. After a defensive stop in the 86th minute, an outlet from Avery Paulson found Margaret Garner behind the Tribe back line at midfield. The former track star kept pace and earned a 1-on-1 contest against the goalkeeper, which the junior won with a soft chip after entering the penalty area.
The Lady Flames pick up their second road win of the season and come out on top over William & Mary in their first matchup since 2019.
Scoring Summary
50′ – Liberty – Halle Engle (2)
86′ – Liberty – Margaret Garner (2) – Avery Paulson
Lady Flames News & Notes
- Liberty holds a team to no shots on goal for the first time this season. The defense held its opponents to no shots on goal a single time last season in the CUSA Championship Quarterfinal against Sam Houston.
- Engle and Garner each scored their second goal of the season. Engle records her second game-winning goal in 2026.
- The Lady Flames recorded 20 shots with 11 on goal. Engle led all players with seven shots.
- Three Lady Flames, Sallie Garner, Maddyson Kerley and Lauren Littleton, played a full 90-minute game.
- Without needing a save, Liberty goalkeeper Ainsley Leja (3-1-1) earns her second shutout of the season and the 23rd of her career. She improves her season marks to a 0.67 goals-against average and an .810 save percentage.
- Liberty evens its all-time series record against William & Mary to 2-2.
- In their four victories, the Lady Flames have held their opponents to nine total shots on goal.
Up Next
Liberty (4-2-1) returns home to take on George Mason (3-1-1) on Sunday afternoon. The contest from Osborne Stadium is set for a 1 p.m. start on ESPN+.
