DII Lady Flames sweep four games over weekend in West Virginia, Pennsylvania

Thursday, October 24

Morgantown, WV

10:00 PM

Liberty University Club Sports

West Virginia University

Lady Flames sophomore forward Cora Williams drives the puck against Rowan University in a game last weekend at the LaHaye Ice Center. (Photo by Ryan Anderson)

DII Lady Flames sweep four games over weekend in West Virginia, Pennsylvania

10/29/2024 2:42:00 PM | Women's D2 Hockey

Liberty improved to 9-1 against ACHA DII competition heading into this weekend's trip to Annapolis, Md., to play DVCHC rivals Villanova and Navy.

Liberty University's ACHA Division II women's hockey team started and ended its four-game road trip with 10-0 triumphs at West Virginia on Thursday and Mercyhurst on Sunday in Erie, Pa., improving its record to 9-1 in ACHA DII play. In between those two games, the Lady Flames netted a pair of 6-1 victories over Niagara University on Friday and Robert Morris on Saturday.

Senior forward Bel Gracia tallied two goals against Niagara, both off assists from junior forward Guin Donovan. The Lady Flames outshot the Purple Eagles 62-23 and junior goalie Abby Hodsden made 22 saves.

Freshman forward Abigail Rogers added the game's final goal on a power play assisted by freshman forward Brooklyn Voortman with 4:17 remaining.

Liberty outshot Robert Morris by a 61-17 margin and junior forward Reanna Cruz scored twice against to pace Liberty's attack. Sophomore goalie Abby Manzewitsch made 16 saves, allowing only a shorthanded goal to Rebecca Shook with 9:50 to play in the third period.

Manzewitsch recorded her first shutout and Voortman netted four of the Lady Flames' 10 goals against the Mountaineers on Thursday with Williams tallying two others as Liberty outshot WVU by a commanding 79-8 margin.

On Sunday, the Lady Flames (9-1) outshot host Mercyhurst (1-2-1) by a whopping 84-5 margin and netted six goals in the third period to break a 4-0 contest wide open. Liberty got two goals apiece from senior defenseman Kate Walhof, Voortman, sophomore forward Cora Williams, and freshman forward Calissa Klein.

Voortman maintained her team scoring lead on the season with 15 goals, including 3 game-winners, and 7 assists. Hodsden made five saves to secure her second shutout of the season in goal.

This weekend, Liberty hosts Georgia Southern on Friday at 1 p.m. before traveling to Annapolis, Md., for two key DVCHC matchups against Villanova on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. and the Naval Academy on Sunday at 11 a.m.