Flames’ attack stifled by Hokies in last three quarters of 17-5 loss

Thursday, April 2

Blacksburg, VA

6:00 PM

Liberty University Club Sports

Virginia Tech

Liberty junior midfielder Harris Shook drives against a Virginia Tech defender in Thursday night's game in Blacksburg, Va. (Photo by Anna Wheat)

Flames’ attack stifled by Hokies in last three quarters of 17-5 loss

4/2/2026 9:55:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Liberty lost for the fifth time in six games, must win last two on road to get into ALC Tournament.

Despite opening a 3-2 lead on No. 8 Virginia Tech following the first quarter, Liberty University's No. 14-ranked men's lacrosse team's offensive struggles continued in the final three quarters of Thursday night's 17-5 humbling at the hands of the host Hokies.

After being limited to three goals in the second half of Sunday's 17-12 setback against No. 10 Clemson, the Flames (5-6) managed only two goals in the final three quarters at Virginia Tech to fall for the sixth time in the past seven games.

"We kept it close in the first quarter, and then obviously things fell apart for us the rest of the way," Liberty Head Coach Kyle McQuillan said after the Flames were outscored 5-0 in the second quarter, 6-2 in the third, and 4-0 in the fourth. "It was pretty one-sided, lopsided, and unfortunately, we've had a few of those lately. But the Virginia Tech game means quite a bit more. Virginia Tech is a big rival of ours, and they are a big reason for who we are. We have pushed each other over the years, but tonight was very clearly their night."

Liberty got single goals from freshman midfielder Josiah Hoopman, freshman attack Taydan Williams, senior middie Hunter Rockhill, junior middie Harris Shook, and sophomore middie Will Morris, with single assists from senior attack Luke Branham, Rockhill, and Hoopman.

Senior faceoff specialist Shane Supek won just six of 23 draws. Meanwhile, for the second game in a row. senior goalie Ian Carvajal made 16 saves and allowed 17 goals.

"We scored the first two goals of the game to go up 2-0," McQuillan said. "Unfortunately, we shut things down offensively, which is unacceptable. Defensively, we continue to be put in a bad spot, and offensively, we are not playing with any confidence. Our offense went dormant, and that was the reason for our lack of success tonight."

"They just played a whole lot better than we did," he added. "We came out and matched their intensity, matched their success early, but Virginia Tech kind of found its stride. We tried to do some things to throw them off, but they're too good a team to keep down for four quarters."

He said the season is still salvageable, and with wins in their last two ALC contests — at James Madison University next Sunday, April 12, and at Kentucky the following Saturday, April 18 — the Flames can clinch the fourth and final seed in the Conference Championships to be played at the Liberty Lacrosse Fields.

"We have put ourselves in a position that's not ideal, but we still have life and still control our own destiny," McQuillan said. "We end (the regular season) with two must-win conference road games if we want to extend our season, punch our ticket to the ALC tournament, and a new season starts. We definitely need a reset. From here on out, as long as we get to play, these are must-win games for us."

Liberty is currently 3-3 in conference play with wins over North Carolina State, North Carolina Chapel Hill, and West Virginia and losses to Clemson, Virginia Tech, and No. 4-ranked, ALC preseason favorite Tennessee.

By Ted Allen/Staff Writer