Senior forward Brylie Beddell skates the puck against Delaware in a game last fall at the LaHaye Ice Center. (Photo by Brooke McDuffy)
DII women split series at Delaware before traveling to Michigan over Fall Break
10/8/2025 3:43:00 PM | Women's D2 Hockey
Junior forward and alternate captain Cora Williams scored four goals to boost the Lady Flames to an 8-2 triumph over the Blue Hens, atoning for a 7-3 series-opening setback.
Liberty University's ACHA Division II women's hockey team bounced back from its first loss of the season, on Sept. 27 when it dropped its series opener at DVCHC rival Delaware, 7-3, by turning the tables on the Blue Hens and winning the Sept. 28 rematch, 8-2, in Fred Rust Arena.
"This was a good way to start the ACHA season against our first DVCHC opponent," Liberty Head Coach Rena Leone said. "Delaware was definitely a lot stronger than we anticipated, which is great because it's always good to challenge a good team in our conference. Within the DVCHC, (defending champion) Villanova, Delaware, Navy, and Rowan have pretty consistently competitive teams."
After being outshot in Saturday's opener, 31-26, the Lady Flames (5-1) flipped the script and outshot Delaware (2-1) by the same count in Sunday's rematch.
"Saturday was not our best showing," Leone said. "Our team did not play well, and we weren't able to execute our systems. But on Sunday, the girls showed up and proved what type of team they are. We stayed consistent with our lines in the second game, didn't change anything up. The girls just played a more consistent, fundamental game than they did the first game. They just were able to execute the way they have been practicing."
Liberty started the scoring in the first game when Emma Bardwell finished assists from fellow freshman forward Sabrina Honeycutt and graduate defenseman Madison Natter for the only goal of the first period. However, the Blue Hens netted the first four goals of the second period before the Flames trimmed the deficit to 4-3 on goals by Honeycutt, who was assisted by Natter, and sophomore forward Calissa Klein, who was set up by freshman forward Pimsiri Wilhelmy. Delaware scored allthree goals in the third period to pull away.
Abby Hodsden got the start in goal and made 21 saves while allowing five scores before being relieved by fellow senior goalie Abigail Manzewitsch, who gave up two goals on five shots faced.
"Saturday was a fluke," Leone said. "Sunday they were able to rebound and play the way they know how to play."
Junior forward Cora Williams scored four goals to account for half of the Lady Flames' offense in Sunday's game, when Delaware actually started the scoring on a goal by Evelyn Hill 7:39 after the opening faceoff.
Just under 10 minutes later, senior forward Guin Donovan netted the equalizer off assists from Honeycutt and Klein before Williams put the Lady Flames on top, 2-1, by finishing a feed from senior forward Brylie Beddell.
Delaware tied it at 1 on a goal by Cecily Charles just 3:30 into the second period. But the Lady Flames responded by scoring the game's final six goals, starting with the unassisted game winner by Wilhelmy and insurance goal by Williams off assists from Bardwell and Beddell for a 4-2 advantage by the end of the second stanza.
Williams sandwiched her final two scores around freshman forward Sasha Haring's first two goals of her Liberty career in the third period. The first three goals were assisted by Honeycutt, Bardwell, and Wilhelmy, respectively, before Williams capped off the scoring unassisted.
Manzewitsch made 24 saves to earn the win in net.
The Lady Flames will return to the road over Fall Break with a game at West Virginia University on Thursday at 9:25 p.m. before heading up to Farmington, Mich., to play two games against Lawrence Tech on Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 5:15 p.m. and concluding the trip with a game at Adrian College on Sunday at 1 p.m.
By Ted Allen/Staff Writer
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"This was a good way to start the ACHA season against our first DVCHC opponent," Liberty Head Coach Rena Leone said. "Delaware was definitely a lot stronger than we anticipated, which is great because it's always good to challenge a good team in our conference. Within the DVCHC, (defending champion) Villanova, Delaware, Navy, and Rowan have pretty consistently competitive teams."
After being outshot in Saturday's opener, 31-26, the Lady Flames (5-1) flipped the script and outshot Delaware (2-1) by the same count in Sunday's rematch.
"Saturday was not our best showing," Leone said. "Our team did not play well, and we weren't able to execute our systems. But on Sunday, the girls showed up and proved what type of team they are. We stayed consistent with our lines in the second game, didn't change anything up. The girls just played a more consistent, fundamental game than they did the first game. They just were able to execute the way they have been practicing."
Liberty started the scoring in the first game when Emma Bardwell finished assists from fellow freshman forward Sabrina Honeycutt and graduate defenseman Madison Natter for the only goal of the first period. However, the Blue Hens netted the first four goals of the second period before the Flames trimmed the deficit to 4-3 on goals by Honeycutt, who was assisted by Natter, and sophomore forward Calissa Klein, who was set up by freshman forward Pimsiri Wilhelmy. Delaware scored allthree goals in the third period to pull away.
Abby Hodsden got the start in goal and made 21 saves while allowing five scores before being relieved by fellow senior goalie Abigail Manzewitsch, who gave up two goals on five shots faced.
"Saturday was a fluke," Leone said. "Sunday they were able to rebound and play the way they know how to play."
Junior forward Cora Williams scored four goals to account for half of the Lady Flames' offense in Sunday's game, when Delaware actually started the scoring on a goal by Evelyn Hill 7:39 after the opening faceoff.
Just under 10 minutes later, senior forward Guin Donovan netted the equalizer off assists from Honeycutt and Klein before Williams put the Lady Flames on top, 2-1, by finishing a feed from senior forward Brylie Beddell.
Delaware tied it at 1 on a goal by Cecily Charles just 3:30 into the second period. But the Lady Flames responded by scoring the game's final six goals, starting with the unassisted game winner by Wilhelmy and insurance goal by Williams off assists from Bardwell and Beddell for a 4-2 advantage by the end of the second stanza.
Williams sandwiched her final two scores around freshman forward Sasha Haring's first two goals of her Liberty career in the third period. The first three goals were assisted by Honeycutt, Bardwell, and Wilhelmy, respectively, before Williams capped off the scoring unassisted.
Manzewitsch made 24 saves to earn the win in net.
The Lady Flames will return to the road over Fall Break with a game at West Virginia University on Thursday at 9:25 p.m. before heading up to Farmington, Mich., to play two games against Lawrence Tech on Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 5:15 p.m. and concluding the trip with a game at Adrian College on Sunday at 1 p.m.
By Ted Allen/Staff Writer
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