Friday, October 25
Adrian, MI
7:00 PM
Liberty University Club Sports
at
Adrian College
Lady Flames junior forward Ellie Sarauer challenges two Bulldogs for the puck during their battle in the LaHaye Ice Center last Nov. 9-10 at the LaHaye Ice Center, where Adrian College upset Liberty before the teams tied the rematch. (Photo by Brooke McDuffee)
DI Lady Flames ready for first road trip to battle defending national champion Bulldogs
10/23/2024 5:27:00 PM | Women's D1 Hockey
Liberty has had more than three weeks to prepare for its ACHA season-opening series after going 5-1 in exhibition games in September.
After having its ACHA-record streak of five consecutive national championships snapped by Minot State in the semifinals last March, Liberty University's ACHA Division I women's hockey team will open its season by challenging reigning national champion Adrian College at the Arrington Ice Arena this weekend.
The Lady Flames, who went 5-1 in preseason exhibition games against U19 teams from the Washington (Md.) Pride, Hockey Training Institute (Ontario), and Purcell Academy (British Columbia) will embark on the 9-hour-plus bus trip to Adrian, Mich., on Friday at 6 a.m. That will leave them just a few hours to prepare for Friday's 7 p.m. series opener against the Bulldogs before turning around for Saturday's noon rematch.
"It's going to be pretty quick up and back, so we are going to get our road legs quickly," Lady Flames Head Coach Chris Lowes said. "It is certainly going to be a test, and our girls are ready to be tested. It will be a new experience for our (nine) freshmen, being thrown into a hostile environment, in one of the tougher places to play in the ACHA."
He said the rivalry with the Bulldogs includes Liberty's first national championship under Lowes in his first season at the helm in 2017-18 as well as one of its greatest comebacks ever in the semifinal round of their latest title run in Boston in 2023.
"It is always a great game, a hard-fought battle, and we are excited for the opportunity," he said. "It's a good place to start the season. I'm glad it's worked out the way it is and that we kind of get thrown into the fire. I'm excited to see how the girls respond."
The Lady Flames will be shorthanded with senior forward Madison Conley and sophomore forward Sienna McClinchey sidelined by injury and senior defenseman Sammy Peebles unavailable for Friday's first game. The School of Nursing student must complete her clinicals before flying to Michigan in time for Saturday's second game.
Lowes said the three-week break from exhibition games throughout September has allowed a few Liberty players to recover from injuries and for the entire lineup to fine-tune its offensive and defensive systems.
"We have had a good time to implement, with lots of coaching," he said. "Hopefully there will be no major hiccups. We are going to make mistakes, but hopefully, we can limit the big ones, goal-scoring chances, and penalties."
Lowes said the prospect of playing the defending champions could be intimidating for the newcomers but will look to leadership from the Lady Flames' captaincy corps of senior forwards Brielle Fussy, Haley Battles, and Zosia Adamek as well as junior defenseman Emerson Oakes and graduate goalie Kylie Mebs.
"There will be a little bit of nervous anxiousness, but that's good," Lowes said. "We will count on our vets to lead the way. Our young group's been doing a good job, and we are in a good spot early in the year. They are a great group with a lot of talent, and they are starting to jell a bit and see some good results."
By Ted Allen/Staff Writer
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The Lady Flames, who went 5-1 in preseason exhibition games against U19 teams from the Washington (Md.) Pride, Hockey Training Institute (Ontario), and Purcell Academy (British Columbia) will embark on the 9-hour-plus bus trip to Adrian, Mich., on Friday at 6 a.m. That will leave them just a few hours to prepare for Friday's 7 p.m. series opener against the Bulldogs before turning around for Saturday's noon rematch.
"It's going to be pretty quick up and back, so we are going to get our road legs quickly," Lady Flames Head Coach Chris Lowes said. "It is certainly going to be a test, and our girls are ready to be tested. It will be a new experience for our (nine) freshmen, being thrown into a hostile environment, in one of the tougher places to play in the ACHA."
He said the rivalry with the Bulldogs includes Liberty's first national championship under Lowes in his first season at the helm in 2017-18 as well as one of its greatest comebacks ever in the semifinal round of their latest title run in Boston in 2023.
"It is always a great game, a hard-fought battle, and we are excited for the opportunity," he said. "It's a good place to start the season. I'm glad it's worked out the way it is and that we kind of get thrown into the fire. I'm excited to see how the girls respond."
The Lady Flames will be shorthanded with senior forward Madison Conley and sophomore forward Sienna McClinchey sidelined by injury and senior defenseman Sammy Peebles unavailable for Friday's first game. The School of Nursing student must complete her clinicals before flying to Michigan in time for Saturday's second game.
Lowes said the three-week break from exhibition games throughout September has allowed a few Liberty players to recover from injuries and for the entire lineup to fine-tune its offensive and defensive systems.
"We have had a good time to implement, with lots of coaching," he said. "Hopefully there will be no major hiccups. We are going to make mistakes, but hopefully, we can limit the big ones, goal-scoring chances, and penalties."
Lowes said the prospect of playing the defending champions could be intimidating for the newcomers but will look to leadership from the Lady Flames' captaincy corps of senior forwards Brielle Fussy, Haley Battles, and Zosia Adamek as well as junior defenseman Emerson Oakes and graduate goalie Kylie Mebs.
"There will be a little bit of nervous anxiousness, but that's good," Lowes said. "We will count on our vets to lead the way. Our young group's been doing a good job, and we are in a good spot early in the year. They are a great group with a lot of talent, and they are starting to jell a bit and see some good results."
By Ted Allen/Staff Writer
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Players Mentioned
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