Liberty Fights Again for 2-2 Draw at James Madison

HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Lady Flames soccer staff (1-0-1) netted a second-half aim to earn a 2-2 draw at James Madison (1-0-1) on Sunday evening. Liberty jumped out to an early lead however trailed 2-1 at halftime at Sentara Park. Ivy Garner equalized the sport within the second half, capitalizing off a save from the JMU goalkeeper that the Dukes have been unable to regulate.

Liberty received off to a different quick begin after scoring within the first minute in its season opener at East Carolina on Thursday. In the fifth minute of the competition, Ivy Garner despatched a cross from the far aspect of the sector, in direction of the again finish of the penalty space. Midfielder Avenley Monteith misplaced her defender and located the again of the online on the close to aspect off her proper foot.

           
The Dukes pushed again with two consecutive scores within the first half. A couple of minutes after Monteith’s opening aim, JMU’s Ellie Farrell tied the sport within the ninth minute, receiving a go within the middle of the penalty field and discovering a gap within the Liberty protection. The house staff took the lead, capitalizing on a controversial no-call that led on to a aim. VAR confirmed the aim after a short overview.
          
Liberty dominated possession within the second half, controlling many of the recreation within the offensive finish. The Lady Flames broke by halfway by the second half after midfielder Haley Noblit fought her method to a clear shot from a tricky angle. The Dukes’ goalkeeper was unable to corral the shot, resulting in Ivy Garner burying the rebound to even the rating. The senior has scored in each contests to start the 2025 season.
 

          
The protection held up within the ultimate minutes of the sport regardless of a number of possibilities from the house staff. With simply minutes remaining within the contest, Liberty believed they secured a go-ahead aim, however Halle Engle was declared offsides on her header.
           
The Lady Flames open the 12 months with a 1-0-1 document, dealing with opponents that claimed their convention title final season (ECU- American, JMU- Sun Belt).
 
Scoring Summary
 
5′ – Liberty – Avenley Monteith (1) – Ivy Garner, Halle Engle
9′ – James Madison – Ellie Farrell (1) – Selma Rodriguez
22′ – James Madison – Jeannette Fieldsend (1) – Ginny Lackey
62′ – Liberty – Ivy Garner – (2) – Haley Noblit
 
Thoughts from Head Coach Lang Wedemeyer
“They’re (JMU) a really hard team to play with, they do a great job of moving off the ball. They create a lot of problems with that movement. I thought we did really well in our press, but when it broke down, they were very dangerous.”
 
On how the staff fought all through the sport
“It was fantastic to start off with that early goal, but we had a couple of unfortunate plays there and we go down two to one.  The second group came in and did a good job, created a few chances in that first half, but I think the girls really stepped up in the second half. I think the majority of the play was in their end.”
 
Lady Flames News & Notes

• Three of Liberty’s 5 objectives this season have come from midfielders. Lauren Flax and Bri Myers scored on Thursday at ECU, whereas Avenley Monteith opened the scoring tonight.
• Liberty outshot JMU 13-7, together with a 9-3 mark within the second half. The Dukes have been pressured to make 4 saves.
• Noblit and Ivy Garner shared a game-high three photographs.
• Ivy Garner leads the staff with 5 factors (2g, 1a) after the primary week of the season.
• Halle Engle recorded an help in every contest this week.
• Three Lady Flames, goalkeeper Ainsley Leja and defenders Kayla Magee and Lauren Littleton, performed a full 90-minute recreation.
• The Lady Flames earned 5 corners to only two for JMU.

 
Up Next
Liberty (1-0-1) will get set for 2 contests subsequent week, heading to Charlotte (2-0) on Thursday and holding its house opener in opposition to No. 15 Virginia (1-0) on Sunday. Thursday’s contest is ready for 4 p.m., with a 1 p.m. begin scheduled on Sunday at Osborne Stadium. Both video games shall be broadcast dwell on ESPN+.