The Shadow
LYNCHBURG, Va. (VR) – Not even a three-goal deficit was enough to squash the Lady Flames, who rattled off four unanswered goals in the second half to top George Mason 4-3 at home on Sunday afternoon. Liberty came back from a three-goal deficit and secured a win for the first time in program history.
Liberty gave up two early goals in the opening 10 minutes of the match, along with a score in the first minute of the second half to George Mason. Through persistent rain, the Lady Flames responded with four consecutive scores in the span of 25 minutes for the comeback victory.
George Mason took an initial lead in the opening minute of the game with a clean header from Mia Casciani on a free-kick opportunity. The Patriots doubled down, earning a penalty kick after a shot was deflected due to a handball by Liberty’s Haley Noblit. George Mason’s Mia Arevalo Delcid left goalkeeper Ainsley Leja no chance for a save despite diving to the correct side.
The Lady Flames controlled play throughout the rest of the first half, registering eight shots and four on goal. Rain became a factor midway through the half, adding a challenge to the Lady Flames’ efforts.
At the half, Leja was substituted for Grace Workman. The goalkeeper came out of the box to play a ball, but after the play was mishandled, George Mason saw a yawning net that Mia Casciani found for a brace with her second of the game.
With 44 minutes ahead of them, Liberty kept its foot on the gas pedal. The home team finally broke through in the 47th minute from a deep ball from Avenley Monteith. The midfielder lofted a shot, catching the backpedaling Patriot goalkeeper off balance, coming in just under the crossbar for her second goal of the season.
Minutes later, the lead was trimmed down to one off the foot of Isabella Wedemeyer. In the 51st minute, Halle sent a low cross through the penalty area, finding Monteith, who unleashed a shot from a weak angle. Her shot deflected off a George Mason defender, bounding directly to Wedemeyer with her shot finding space between three challenging Patriots.
The equalizer was found in the 58th minute by Haley Noblit with her first goal of the season. The midfielder received the ball in the attacking area and looked up to see a 1v1 opportunity. After a few sly moves, she pushed the ball to the middle of the field, blasting a laser straight ahead of her to tie the game with over 30 minutes remaining.
Not settling for a single point, Liberty continued to press. Margaret Garner pushed the ball deep into the field, sending a low cross to Keelyn Eslinger with no bodies around her. The sophomore sent a shot to the center of the net, just past the stretched goalkeeper to gain the lead.
Now leading in the contest, the Lady Flames went into preservation despite facing pressure from a now-trailing George Mason squad. Workman and the Lady Flames defense stood tall, not allowing a shot on goal throughout the entirety of the second half.
Liberty improves to 3-1 all-time against George Mason and an undefeated 3-0 at home. The Lady Flames have not lost a game at home in their last ten contests.
Scoring Summary
1′ – George Mason – Mia Casciani (1) – Gianna Chrapek
11′ – George Mason – Mia Arevalo-Delcid () – Penalty Kick
46′ – George Mason – Mia Casciani (2)
47′ – Liberty – Avenley Monteith (2) – Carly Keene
51′ – Liberty – Isabella Wedemeyer (2) – Avenley Monteith
58′ – Liberty – Haley Noblit (1)
70′ – Liberty – Keelyn Eslinger (1) – Margaret Garner
Lady Flames News & Notes
- In their last two games against George Mason, Liberty has netted a total of 10 goals. In their most recent matchup, the Lady Flames secured a 6-0 triumph on the road in 2024.
- Liberty’s most recent multi-goal comeback since 2021, when the Lady Flames came back from two down, topping the Owls 3-2 in overtime to advance to the ASUN Championship.
- Monteith and Wedemeyer each netted their second goals of the season. Noblit and Eslinger both scored their first goal of the season.
- Monteith now leads the team with six points.
- Noblit recorded a game-high four shots with three on goal.
- Liberty held a 19-10 advantage in shots and an 11-5 edge in shots on goal.
- The Lady Flames earned seven corner opportunities while George Mason did not record a single chance.
- Despite playing in just the first half, Ainsley Leja recorded all three of Liberty’s saves.
- Goalkeeper Grace Workman made her first appearance of the season.
- Maddyson Kerley was the only Lady Flame to play a full 90 minutes.
Up Next
Liberty (5-2-1) hosts two games this week at Osborne Stadium. The Lady Flames welcome James Madison (2-3) on Thursday at 6 p.m., then host Old Dominion (2-4) on Sunday afternoon starting at 1 p.m. Sunday’s tilt will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
