BOONE, N.C.  – After maintaining an early lead and consistently applying pressure at the net, the Liberty Flames field hockey team defeated Appalachian State University field hockey 11-4 on Monday in App State's first exhibition match of the preseason.

The Flames' Kendra Jones dominated the pitch scoring four goals while Jordan Van Cleave had a solid performance for the Mountaineers dishing out three shots past the goal line.

Liberty dominated the first period shutting out the Mountaineers 4-0, and cranked out three goals in under six minutes.

In the second period, Van Cleave collected the first goal of the 2016 preseason and led the charge to outscore the Flames, 3-2. In the 18th minute of the period, Van Cleave fired the ball into the net from a double-assisted corner to bring the score to 4-1.

App State capitalized again with a smoldering low roller to left corner by Taylor Cimbalist from German newcomer Julia Wenz, compressing the lead to 4-2. Liberty would go on to shoot back-to-back goals before Van Cleave gathered her second goal of the match from a tipped pass by Savanna Sheridan to end the period with Liberty up by three (6-3).

After halftime, Liberty connected again to extend its lead by four, Van Cleave responded with a blistering shot that was assisted by Sheridan in the 43rd minute to end the third period, 7-4.

In the last 15-minute period, Liberty held the Mountaineers to a standstill scoring four unassisted goals. Kendra Jones collected the eighth and tenth goals in the 50th and 56th minute, Abby Julius tallied the ninth goal in the 52nd minute, and Agueda Moroni's goal at the 59th minute solidified their win.

At the conclusion of all four periods, the two teams played a mock shootout ending in three sudden death rounds. Liberty came out victorious winning the shootout, 5-4.

At the Net

Goalkeeper Rachel Gaines played in her first match in a Mountaineer uniform. The redshirt freshman played the whole way through deflecting 8 shots from the Flames' offense. For Liberty, Monica Hernick played for 45 minutes and recorded two saves, and Allison Schaefer finished the match saving one goal and playing 25 minutes.

Fresh Faces

Wenz, Keighly Adams, Mallory Wolf, Kaley Selner, Ali Williams, Melissa Nobile, and Gaines all made their Mountaineer debuts starting for the first exhibition match of the preseason. The freshmen were highlighted by an assist by Wenz to junior Cimbalist in the second period and two shots on goal by Nobile.

Shots

The Liberty Flames edged the Mountaineers in shots 33-7 and shots on goal 19-7.

Up Next

Appalachian State will take a day off to bring in the new academic school year tomorrow, Aug. 16 and will continue with preseason practice on Wednesday, Aug. 17. The Black and Gold will prepare to take on the Limestone Saints in the second exhibition matchup of the preseason on Sunday, Aug. 21, in Boone, N.C. at 3 pm.