Lady Flames shut out for first time in 86 games in national semifinal rematch

Friday, October 16

Lynchburg, VA

6:30 PM

Liberty University Club Sports

University of Michigan

Brookelyn Beauchamp faceoff against Michigan

Lady Flames graduate forward and alternate captain Brookelyn Beauchamp takes a faceoff against Michigan-Dearborn forward and head captain Cadence Pero, who scored both goals in Friday night's 2-0 setback. (Photos by Jessie Jordan)

Lady Flames shut out for first time in 86 games in national semifinal rematch

10/16/2026 11:00:00 PM | Women's D1 Hockey

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Michigan-Dearborn improved to 4-0 by dealing Liberty (5-1) its first loss, with the teams meeting again Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the LaHaye Ice Center.

Gallery: (10-16-2026) DI women's hockey vs. Michigan

Liberty University's ACHA Division I women's hockey team, winner of 21 of its previous 22 games, was shut out for the first time since Dec. 1, 2023 — a span of 86 games — Friday night at the LaHaye Ice Center, falling to Michigan-Dearborn, 2-0, in a rematch of its National Championship semifinal victory last March near St. Louis.

The last time Liberty (5-1) went scoreless was in a 5-0 loss at Midland (Neb.) University that completed a series sweep of the Lady Flames for the first time by any opponent since Sept. 23-24, 2017, Head Coach Chris Lowes' first season with the team.

Just 20 seconds into a power play midway through the second period, Michigan (4-0) forward and head captain Cadence Pero sneaked a shot from the top of the right circle past graduate goalie and alternate captain Alex Keith — whose view was obstructed by a Wolverines' screen — into the back of the net, snapping a scoreless tie.

"I don't think we had enough urgency early on, and we didn't execute well," Lowes said. "We were putting up shots, but they weren't great ones. We need to do a better job of figuring that out. They're really solid. They're a top team in our league, so it takes a little more. They just played McKendree (Ill. University), so they're coming off a really tough game — they beat McKendree twice — and we just weren't ready for it tonight. We're not battle-tested yet. It was good hockey. I thought we did some good things. I'm excited for Game 2."

Michigan nearly doubled the advantage later in the period, but a shot from the slot glanced off the glove of Keith and struck the crossbar before being cleared from the crease.

Then, with 11:24 remaining in regulation, the Wolverines delivered the insurance score on an odd-man rush, with Pero finishing the fast break on a shot from deep in the left circle.

"It was just a grind of a game until they got that power-play goal," Lowes said. "We took the first penalty, they scored, and then we were just playing catchup, and then we gave up a bad two-on-one, and they got their second one."

"She's a really good player, and we knew that from nationals last year," he added of Pero. "Their top end's really strong, and their best players beat our best players today."

The Wolverines had an opportunity to break it wide open but couldn't capitalize on a 5-on-3 power play for nearly a minute and a half with under 8:00 to play.

Given the reprieve, the Lady Flames were unable to take advantage 5-on-5 or 6-on-5 after pulling Keith for the final 2:05, even with a 6-on-4 edge with a power play for the final 50 seconds.

"That was a big moment (but) we just ran out of time," Lowes said. "We tried the goalie pull, but to be honest, it just wasn't our night. We couldn't find that first one."

Liberty outshot Michigan, 40-24, but Wolverines goalie Kenna Borso, a fifth-year senior, made 40 saves to earn the shutout.

"They got really good shots," Lowes said. "Their power play scored, and they scored on a two-on-one with one of the best players in the country. I don't know if we had a two-on-one with our girls, and we certainly didn't execute."

Liberty shut out the Wolverines in the first-ever meeting between the two programs in the semifinals of last year's national tournament, extending its winning streak to 16 games before being dethroned by Midland in the final, 4-3, in triple overtime.

"That was one of the best games we played (last year)," Lowes said, noting the two teams will meet again at 1:30 p.m. Saturday back in the LIC. "The great thing is we rebound quickly and get to go again. I'm excited for tomorrow. We get to go again and reset and try to find our first goal on the weekend. (Getting shut out) doesn't happen very often. We don't lose very often. Hopefully our girls are fired up."

By Ted Allen/Staff Writer