The Liberty University women's soccer squad, currently sitting at 1‑1 after a split weekend to open the 2026 campaign, is gearing up for a demanding road stretch that will test its early‑season resilience.
Road Trip Preview
On Thursday evening, the Lady Flames will travel to Blacksburg to meet Virginia Tech at 7 p.m., a match that will be streamed live on ACC Network Xtra, followed two days later by a Sunday afternoon showdown at the VCU Athletic Village against Virginia Commonwealth University, broadcast on ESPN+.
Coach's reliance on a core group of attackers has become evident, with midfielder Avenley Monteith already the team's sole goal scorer this season, while forwards Halle Engle and Carly Keene have each registered three shots on goal, underscoring their offensive thrust.
Defensively, the back line of Maddyson Kerley and Lauren Littleton has logged every minute of the opening two fixtures, providing a steady presence, while the goalkeeping rotation between Peyton Huber and Ainsley Leja has kept opponents at bay, with Huber starting both games and Leja entering midway through each half.
The upcoming contests also carry historical weight; Liberty holds a 1‑0‑1 record against Virginia Tech in the last two meetings, highlighted by Engle's two‑goal contribution in a 2024 victory, and the team hopes to add a third straight win over VCU, having prevailed in both 2023 and 2024.
As the Lady Flames prepare to face these rivals, the blend of seasoned defenders, a prolific front line, and a flexible defensive setup aims to translate early momentum into a stronger finish, potentially reshaping the narrative of a rivalry that has historically favored the opposition.