Liberty scored three second half goals to come from behind and beat Western Kentucky, 3-1, at Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium in Newark, Delaware on Friday afternoon in the CUSA Championship Game. The win secures a second straight Conference USA Championship for the Lady Flames and third in four years. The Lady Flames have reached the final in all four seasons in the league.
The Lady Flames (16-2-3) were the 1-seed and knocked off the 2-seed Western Kentucky (13-2-6), handing the Hilltoppers only their second loss of the season. Both of those losses have come by the hands of Liberty, as the Flames defeated WKU, 1-0, on Sept. 26 in Lynchburg, Virginia.
The wind, with gusts over 30 miles per hour, was a major factor in the contest in Delaware, as all four goals on the afternoon were scored with the wind at the team’s back. The Hilltoppers had the advantage of playing with the wind in the opening 30 minutes and they took advantage. Makenna Egan scored her third goal of the season in the 16th minute to give WKU 1-0 advantage they carried into halftime.
After the intermission, CUSA Player of the Year Halle Engle netted the equalizer off a well-placed ball from Haley Noblit in the 59th minute. Liberty would continue to control the pace in the second half, as Margaret Garner pushed the Lady Flames ahead with her goal in the 76th minute. Engle added her second goal of the day and 10th of the season when she scored off a penalty kick in the 79th minute.
Liberty continues its dominant play this season, carrying its 16 game unbeaten streak (14-0-2) into the NCAA Tournament. The team’s last loss came all the way back on August 27. The Flames also continue their dominant run in conference play, with a 26 match unbeaten streak against CUSA opponents.
The Flames cap off their stay in Newark, with three wins in the CUSA Championship. Liberty defeated 8-seed Sam Houston, 2-1, on Sunday with goals from Garner and Engle. Tuesday night, Liberty defeated 5-seed New Mexico State on penalty kicks (4-3). Engle netted the deciding goal to lift the Flames to Friday’s championship.
The 2026 NCAA Division I women’s soccer selection show that will reveal the full 64-team championship field will be revealed on Monday, Nov. 16 and streamed live on NCAA.com.
