The #8 nationally ranked Liberty University Flames held Maine to just two shots on goal on Friday afternoon, and rolled to a 5-0 win in a non-conference season opener played at the UMaine Field Hockey Complex in Orono.
Avery Pollock scored at 6:44 of the first quarter, and that is all Liberty would need. Maine didn’t have any shots on goal in the first half, with both of them on the day coming in the third quarter. Dara Semmartin scored twice for the Flames, one on a penalty stroke, while Julieta Tornati and Luna Prieri also found the back of the cage. Diane Saint Martin played the entire match in net for the shutout. LU overall had a 29-2 edge in attempted shots (23-2 on goal), and a 5-1 advantage on penalty corners. The only category they lost was fouls, as they committed 22 compared to 11 for the Black Bears. Freshman goalies Annabel Halkes and Fiona Güensch both saw game time in the loss. Güensch made 10 saves playing the second half, and Halkes made eight as she was in during the opening 30 minutes. Maine will stay at home and will host another nationally ranked opponent when they welcome in #15 UMass on Sunday at 12 p.m.
