DII Lady Flames sweep DVCHC rival Blue Hens in regular-season opener

Friday, October 4

Lynchburg, VA

6:00 PM

Liberty University Club Sports

University of Delaware

Freshman forward Brooklyn Voortman scored half of Liberty's eight goals in the weekend series sweep. (Photos by Brooke McDuffee)

DII Lady Flames sweep DVCHC rival Blue Hens in regular-season opener

10/7/2024 1:18:00 PM | Women's D2 Hockey

Freshmen scored six of Liberty's eight goals as Liberty continued its success against Delaware in a rematch of their game at nationals last spring, won by the Lady Flames in overtime.

Gallery: (10-7-2024) Liberty DII women's hockey Delaware

Freshmen played key roles for Liberty University's ACHA Division II women's hockey team as it opened regular season play and began pursuit of a DVCHC championship by sweeping Delaware over the weekend at the LaHaye Ice Center.

The Lady Flames (2-0) got four goals from Brooklyn Voortman and two from fellow freshman forward Calissa Klein in Friday night's 2-1 overtime win and decisive 6-3 second-game triumph over the Blue Hens (2-3) on Saturday afternoon.

"We dressed five freshmen, so there was a lot of young blood out there," Liberty Head Coach Rena Leone said. "We knew our freshmen were strong, and they definitely proved that they are going to be a force to be reckoned with this season."

Voortman attends the same church in Thunder Bay, Ontario, as Flames and Lady Flames Hockey alumni Andrew and Stacey McCombe, who pointed her to Liberty. She netted the game winner unassisted as the Lady Flames and Blue Hens skated 3-on-3 before netting a hat trick in the rematch.

"In the first game, Brooklyn picked the puck off the boards, came down, and sniped the game-winner in overtime," Leone said.

After a scoreless first period in that contest, senior forward Madison Gaddy gave Liberty a 1-0 lead early in the second off an assist from junior linemate Izzy Crossman. Delaware, which outshot the Lady Flames, 37-29, netted the equalizer at the 13:44 mark of the third.
Junior goalie Abigail Hodsden made 36 saves to record the win in net.

"It was a great weekend," Leone said. "We definitely got the jitters out that first game, and in the second game, our girls were a little more relaxed."

Voortman, who had skated with Liberty's Division I women's team last weekend and scored the Lady Flames' only goal in a 3-1 third-game loss to Purcell (British Columbia) Hockey Academy, started Saturday's second-game scoring with another unassisted goal midway through the first period. She later netted back-to-back goals to cap a four-goal second period, the first assisted by graduate forward Hunter DiGrazia, padding the Lady Flames' lead to 6-2.

In between those three scores, Williams extended Liberty's lead to 3-1 early in the second period on a power-play goal assisted by Klein. Klein also scored twice, the second on a power play off an assist from senior defenseman Kate Walhof at the 8:05 mark of the second.

The Lady Flames outshot the Blue Hens, 49-27, with sophomore goalie Abby Manzewitsch making 24 saves in the victory, her second against Delaware after beating them at nationals in overtime last March.

"The chemistry with our freshmen and upperclassmen, both on the ice and in the locker room, was awesome, with everyone pushing each other and showing lots of encouragement," Leone said. "I think it's going to be a great year for everybody."

Liberty will travel to near St. Louis over its Fall Break to play two games at Maryville (Mo.) University on Friday at 9:15 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m.

By Ted Allen/Staff Writer; Videos by Patrick Strawn/Club Sports Video & Media Director