VCU burned by the Liberty Flames, 15-8
Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics.
Marcus Leary, Contributing Writer
The VCU Rams fell to the Liberty University Flames, 15-8 on Feb. 15.
The Rams drop to 0-2 before starting conference play.
The game was played in the middle of a flash-flood warning, according to ABC News 8. Heavy rain fell for nearly all four quarters.
VCU head coach Nicole Flores said that the weather had a mental and physical impact on the team.
“They don’t perform things that they usually would perform well. You’re used to being able to catch and throw, and you drop a pass that you typically wouldn’t. It gets a little heady sometimes,” Flores said. “For us, it’s that mental resilience of that next-play mentality and the ability to bounce back and keep fighting.”
Despite Liberty winning the first draw, the beginning of the game was back-and-forth. Both teams possessed the ball and took shots on goal.
The Flames broke the seal four minutes into the first quarter with a goal from fourth-year attacker Taiva Reinertson. Liberty continued the first-quarter success with a pair of man-up goals after two costly VCU fouls.
The Rams ended Liberty’s 3-0 run with a behind-the-back goal from VCU fourth-year attacker Mia George at the seven-minute mark of the first quarter.
The Flames dominated almost every aspect of the game, but their real difference-maker was how they played in transition. Liberty utilized a 12-player ride that caused the Rams to take a lot of time off their shot clock just trying to get across the field. Liberty’s transition offense converted 21 of their 23 clear attempts, according to Statbroadcast.
George said she believes they adapted well to Liberty’s 12-player ride.
“Liberty is known for their 12 man ride, we had all week to prepare for this,” George said. “It did trip us up a little bit in the beginning, but we found a way to use it to our advantage. Our defenders and middies played a huge part in being confident running the ball up the field.”
The Flames continued to maintain control of the offense putting one more goal on the board, and six more shots on cage before the end of the first quarter. Liberty led VCU 4-1 at the end of the first.
The blue and red started the second quarter with possession after a late first quarter foul from VCU third-year defender Katie Bornyek.
Liberty third-year attacker Ava Rajala did not skip a beat at the beginning of the quarter, scoring a goal 13 seconds in. Rajala scored a career-high six goals, according to Liberty Athletics.
The black and gold cut the lead to 5-2 three minutes later. VCU got the ball in George’s stick on a free possession. George found VCU first-year midfielder Maggie Ohle, who put the ball in the back of the net.
Ohle said she was excited to get an assist from George.
“The older players have played such a big role in my confidence and energy on the field,” Ohle said. “Since day one they have supported and encouraged all of us underclassmen and helped us adapt well to the team.”
Both teams went on runs exchanging goals for the rest of the quarter, putting the Flames up 8-4, headed into halftime.
Liberty continued their trend of scoring early, scoring two more goals in the first two minutes of the third quarter.
VCU then rallied after the Flames offense turned the ball over, but Liberty’s second-year goalkeeper Rachel Hines stepped up, saving two back-to-back shots from the VCU offense.
The Rams scored two more goals in the second half, but the Flames wouldn’t let the quarter end quietly. With 58 seconds remaining in the third quarter, third-year defender Jenna Burrow got one past the goalie, putting the blue and red up 11-6 going into the final quarter of play.
Liberty started the fourth quarter by eliminating any question of a VCU comeback, scoring four unanswered goals, three of which came from Rajala.
The Rams scored two more goals in the fourth to make the final score 15-8.
VCU will play against Old Dominion University at Cary Street Field on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 1 pm.
