Flames rise to No. 2 in MCLA, host Midnight Mayhem against No. 14 Tennessee on Friday

Liberty University's men's lacrosse team moved up one spot to No. 2 in this week's MCLA Division I Coaches Poll. The Flames (9-1) received the only three first-place votes that didn't go to No. 1 BYU (10-0), which eliminated them in last season's National Championship semifinals in Round Rock, Texas, en route to its fifth national title and first undefeated season.

"It is confirmation for us that we are one of the better teams in the country," Liberty Head Coach Kyle McQuillan said. "The way that our season started (with a 16-12 setback to ALC South foe Virginia Tech, now ranked No. 11), we are fortunate to have earned our way back into that conversation, and it is a testament to our guys and how they've responded."

Midnight-Mayhem-crowd — Liberty student fans came out en masse for the April 9, 2022, Midnight Mayhem showdown between the No. 3 Flames and No. 1 BYU

The Flames have an exciting College for a Weekend (CFAW) on tap, with No. 14 Tennessee (8-2) visiting the Liberty Lacrosse Fields for Friday's 11th Midnight Mayhem game, starting at 11:59 p.m., before they host ALC North rival Kentucky on Sunday at 4 p.m.

The game against the Volunteers will be a rematch of last year's ALC Championship final won by Liberty for the second time in four years, 17-13 at Lynchburg City Stadium.

That improved the Flames' all-time record against Tennessee to 10-0, a streak they will look to extend while stretching their current winning streak to 10 games since the loss to the Hokies.

"We've had a few lopsided games (against the Volunteers), but our expectation is that Tennessee is going to be very well prepared and eager to get redemption from last year's ALC Championship loss," McQuillan said. "They're a motivated, talented team, a program that has really taken some big strides in the last few years."

The phenomenon known as Midnight Mayhem started in Club Sports with the men's lacrosse team hosting Tennessee Wesleyan on a Wednesday night in 2013. It has spread to men's volleyball and men's and women's hockey over the past 12 years and even to the ski & snowboard team, which held its Mountain Mayhem at the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre last Friday night.

"Having it be over CFAW weekend is a huge bonus to get all these high school kids there to experience Liberty at a time when they're more willing to try something outside of the box," McQuillan said. "Nowadays, the midnight start time makes that game stand out. Some people love the idea, some think it's a strange marketing concept. But it's guaranteed to be the only midnight lacrosse game being played in America that night."

Another factor that will add hype to the contest is that it will again be streamed live on ESPN+.

"Tennessee has a very loyal fan base, and with the viewership of people tuning into the broadcast on ESPN+, it is a huge blessing and opportunity to not only put Liberty on the map, but the MCLA as well," McQuillan said. "It should be a great atmosphere and a good contest between two teams ranked in the top 20. We are expecting to have not only a CFAW crowd, but at least half of our 11-player incoming recruiting class here to see it live."

The Flames suffered a major loss at midfield when senior Will Geary fractured his collarbone in last Friday night's home game against Texas A&M.

"He just had surgery on it (Wednesday) and he'll be out for the rest of the season," McQuillan said. "He's a huge part of this program and to have that be the end of his playing career here is a tough pill to swallow. We have to have a next-man-up mentality, and we have a ton of guys at midfield who can continue to give us the offensive firepower that we need."

The Flames realize they control their own destiny from here on out in the regular season and postseason tournaments.

"We want to continue to build momentum," McQuillan said. "The guys have played really well, and we are gaining more and more confidence as we go through the season. We need to be playing our best lacrosse in late April when we get into the ALC tournament and prepare for the MCLA Championships. We are hitting the home stretch here and setting ourselves up for another MCLA tournament run, hoping to snag that No. 1 seed and ride it to our first national championship."

By Ted Allen/Staff Writer

Flames rise to No. 2 in MCLA, host Midnight Mayhem against No. 14 Tennessee on Friday

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Players Mentioned

Will Geary