LYNCHBURG, Va. - The No. 2 seed Liberty Lady Flames (11-7, 5-1 ASUN) advance to the Atlantic Sun Women's Lacrosse Championship with a 17-12 triumph over No. 3 seed Lindenwood (10-6. 3-3 ASUN) at home on Thursday evening. No. 2 seed Liberty will meet No. 4 seed Coastal Carolina (8-8, 3-3 ASUN) in the championship game at the Liberty Lacrosse Field on Saturday at 1 p.m.
ASUN Midfielder of the Year Katie Colavito netted a game-high six goals and registered a game-high four caused turnovers and five ground balls along with four draw controls.
Playing in front of its home fans, Liberty faced a tough task after the Lions roared ahead to a 7-4 lead at the 12:47 mark of the second quarter. The Lady Flames closed the deficit to 9-8 to end the first half.
The Lady Flames came out on fire in the third quarter with three straight goals from Taiva Reinertson (11:44), Olivia Young (9:55) and Kate Troutman (8:21). Liberty outscored Lindenwood 5-1 in the third quarter to take a 13-10 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Liberty secured the first two scores of the quarter to take a commanding five-goal lead at 15-10. The teams drew even for the final eight minutes of the contest, ending in a 17-12 triumph for the Lady Flames.
Liberty advances to a conference championship title game for the fifth time in program history and its fourth ASUN title game. The team seeks its first-ever conference championship title.
Lynchburg, Va., and the Liberty Lacrosse Field serve as the host site for the 2025 ASUN Women's Lacrosse Championship. Liberty is hosting the event for the first time in program history.
The Lady Flames improve to 4-0 all-time against Lindenwood.
Liberty Goals:Katie Colavito 6; Ava Rajala 3; Mackenzie Lehman 2; Cami Merkel 2; Taiva Reinertson 1; Kate Troutman 1; Olivia Young 1; Celena Kerr 1
Liberty Assists:Mackenzie Lehman 3; Ava Rajala 3; Cami Merkel 2
Lindenwood Goals: Anna Jane Dassoulas 4; Jordan Fitzgerald 4; Keraston Jackson 2; Alissa DiGiacinto 1; Ryleigh Cavanuagh 1
Lindenwood Assists: Kearston Jackson 1
Liberty Goalkeepers: W – Rachel Hines (10-7, three saves, 12 goals, 60:00)
Lindenwood Goalkeepers: L – Aislinn Sweeney (10-5, 12 saves, 17 goals, 60:00)
Turning Point
After the two teams drew an even 4-4 first quarter, Lindenwood sprinted ahead with three quick goals to open the second quarter. Jordan Fitzgerald scored twice (13:32, 12:57) with Anna Jane Dassoulas adding the third (13:11). Head coach Kelly Nangle called what turned into a critical timeout as the team was able to stop the bleeding at a 7-4 deficit.
Following a scoreless three minutes, Colavito added her third (9:53) and fourth (6:31) goals of the game to narrow the lead to one. Mackenzie Lehman netted her first of the game to tie the game at 7-7 (5:53). Lindenwood outscored Liberty 2-1 for the rest of the half to take a 9-8 lead into the half, the last lead the team would hold the rest of the game.
First Half Summary
- Lindenwood led 9-8 at the half despite Liberty holding a 19-12 advantage in shots.
- Liberty managed just one save. The Lions recorded eight.
- The Lions turned the ball over 13 times in the first half to seven from the Lady Flames.
- The Lady Flames held a narrow 10-9 edge in draw controls.
- Lindenwood only converted half of its clear attempts (5-of-10) while Liberty went 4-of-5.
- Colavito netted four scores in the first half, two in each quarter.
Second Half Summary
- Liberty outscored Lindenwood 9-3, holding a 20-8 advantage in shots.
- The Lady Flames went a perfect 10-of-10 in clear opportunities.
- The Lions turned the ball over 10 times to five from Liberty.
- Liberty outdrew Lindenwood 10-4.
- Seven different Lady Flames scored in the second half.
Lady Flames News & Notes
- The Lady Flames outshot Lindenwood 39-20 with a 29-15 advantage in shots on goal.
- Liberty outdrew Lindenwood 20-13 for the game. Ava Menna recorded a game-high 10 draw controls.
- Liberty held a 19-9 advantage in caused turnovers, with Lindenwood committing 23 total. Colavito led all players with four.
- The Lady Flames earned 21 ground balls to Lindenwood's 13. Colavito led all players with five.
- Lindenwood attempted just two free-position opportunities (1-of-2).
Up Next
No. 2 seed Liberty (11-7, 5-1 ASUN) meets No. 4 seed Coastal Carolina (8-9, 3-3 ASUN) in the 2025 ASUN women's Lacrosse Championship Final on Saturday at 1 p.m. from the Liberty Lacrosse Field. Tickets can be found at https://liberty.evenue.net/event/POST24/ASUN-WLAX. ASUN students enter free with a valid ID. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.