WINNING STREAK EXTENDED TO FIVE WITH 3-0 VICTORY OVER LIBERTY

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RADFORD, Va. – In a battle last two undefeated teams in the Big South, first-place Radford remained atop the league standings with a 3-0 victory over second-place Liberty on Wednesday afternoon from Cupp Stadium. Behind three different goal scorers and six saves by senior Che' Brown, the Highlanders (9-1-1, 5-0 Big South) extended their winning streak to five and snapped the Lady Flames' (8-4-1, 3-1-1) four-match undefeated streak.

Freshman Britney Kendall recorded a goal and an assist against a Liberty defense that had allowed just five goals all season and posted eight shutouts in 12 matches. Classmate Melanie Priestley and sophomore Asyia Mitchell also scored for the Highlanders, while Brown was solid in net as Radford's defense posted its third straight shutout and seventh clean sheet of the season.

"It was a good team win versus a very good Liberty team," said head coach Ben Sohrabi, who was honored prior to the match for reaching the 200-win milestone.

The Highlanders also continued their Big South regular season (12-0-4) and home (13-0-2) undefeated streaks as well holding a league opponent scoreless at home over the last eight matches and a total of 782:35.

It didn't take long for Radford to find paydirt. On the first shot of the game, Priestley scored the eventual game-winner just 2:36 into the match, a lead the Highlanders would not relinquish. Her third goal of the season was set up by non-other than senior Sydney Golden, who's free kick from beyond the midfield stripe deflected directly to Priestley's foot and she volleyed it into the back of the net from 10 yards. The senior defender has now assisted on four of Radford's five game-winner in league play.

Following the score, Radford withstood some pressure by the Lady Flames, who held a 6-5 shot advantage, and Brown stopped all three shots on frame helping the Highlanders carry the 1-0 lead into halftime.

Liberty continued to put on the pressure, earning three corner kicks in the first 12 minutes of the second stanza. On the second one, Brown came up with her biggest save of the contest, one-handing a high header by Casey Norris and clearing it away from any more danger.

After a diving stop by Brown in the 64^th minute, Radford was able to put some pressure of its own on Liberty's defense and it paid off with two insurance goals, both coming on great efforts by the frosh Kendall to put the contest away.

"Scoring early was big," commented Sohrabi. "We did a good job adjusting to their tactical change and created some quality chances late."

With the keeper coming off her line, Kendall dribbled back into the middle of the box and snuck a shot just under the recovering keeper for her third goal of the season in the 66^th minute.

In the 80^th minute, Kendall broke free down the middle of the field, and after her initial shot was saved by Holly Van Noord, Mitchell cleaned up the rebound for the final goal of the match, her second on the season.

Liberty out shot Radford, 13-9 and held a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks. Senior Sahar Aflaki paced Radford with a game-best five shots. Brittany Aanderud tallied three shots for the Lady Flames. Van Noord end the match with three saves.

Radford remains home on Saturday, Oct. 12 to host UNC Asheville at 7:00 p.m.

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