Liberty takes a widening scoring threat into its Providence matchup

Five different Liberty players scored across last weekend’s two wins. That variety gives the Lady Flames something concrete to build on as they return to BIG EAST play.

No. 14 Liberty visits Providence on Friday, Oct. 16, at 2 p.m. ET at Lennon Family Field. Both teams enter the matchup 9-4 overall and 2-1 in the conference, according to Liberty’s Oct. 13 update. The matching records make this a direct opportunity to gain ground on a conference opponent.

Josefina Tomasi is the consistent thread in Liberty’s recent scoring. She scored against both Georgetown and North Carolina, reaching seven goals for a third consecutive season. But the supporting contributions are worth watching just as closely.

In the 4-2 comeback against Georgetown, Julieta Tornati, Avery Pollock, Tomasi and Clarisa Iudicello each scored once. Liberty trailed 2-0 after the first quarter and needed contributions across the remaining three periods to recover.

Tornati scored from a penalty corner before halftime, Pollock supplied the equalizer in the third quarter, and Tomasi put Liberty ahead in the fourth. Iudicello added the final goal. The comeback required more than one productive moment or one player carrying the attack.

Two days later, Liz Bustillo became another option. Her first collegiate goal gave Liberty a 2-0 lead over North Carolina after Tomasi had opened the scoring. Mia Santana provided the assist, finding Bustillo for a one-time finish. The Lady Flames held on for a 2-1 victory, their fourth straight win and first home victory against UNC.

Santana’s passing links those two games. She assisted on Iudicello’s goal against Georgetown and Bustillo’s against North Carolina. The sophomore midfielder now leads Liberty with six assists in 12 appearances. Santana and Tomasi were both named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Tuesday, with Santana receiving her first career weekly award.

The scoring depth was paired with defensive work that kept the UNC game from becoming a shootout. Liberty allowed only two shots through the first three quarters, and Kyleigh Faust made a defensive save in the fourth. The Lady Flames had established their advantage before North Carolina finally scored late.

Friday presents a different setting: a conference road game after an emotional home weekend. Liberty’s 12-0 all-time record against Providence provides historical context, but the Friars’ current record is a better reminder of the task ahead. A win would move the Lady Flames to 3-1 in BIG EAST play. Reproducing last weekend’s range of contributors would give them more than one route to get there.