LYNCHBURG, Va. – Junior goalkeeper Rachel Barnett made nine saves in her Saint Joseph's debut, but Liberty scored twice in each half to top the Hawk field hockey team, 4-0, in the season opener for both teams.

Saint Joseph's (0-1) had the run of play in the first half, but Liberty struck first as Hannah Jones converted a penalty stroke just over 10 minutes into the game to give the Flames a 1-0 lead.  Ashlee Krulock then took a feed from Natalie Barr on a corner attempt to double the Liberty lead.

Liberty (1-0) tallied twice more in the second half, as Barr scored on an assist from Helen Doolittle before connecting with Jones for Jones' second of the day.

Barr finished with a goal and two assists on the afternoon.  Ann Jefferis made four saves for the Flames.

Junior Jordan Martin notched three shots for the Hawks, while freshmen Nadia de Vries and Marin Vreeburg each tallied a pair.  Both teams had four penalty corners in the game.

The Hawks will look to bounce back tomorrow as they head to Longwood for a 1:00 p.m. start.