LYNCHBURG, Va. – No. 17-ranked Liberty is set to face James Madison in its home opener this Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Liberty Field Hockey Field.

Liberty (1-0) is coming off a dramatic 4-3 road victory against No. 5 Duke in their season opener last Friday. James Madison (1-1) split their opening weekend games,defeating Villanova 3-2 but falling to Stanford 1-0 on Sunday.

This will be the ninth meeting between the two programs, marking the fourth consecutive year they have faced each other. The series is currently tied at 4-4. Last year, James Madison narrowly defeated Liberty 3-2 in Harrisonburg, Va.

Key Matchup Details

“combrinck scored the game winner in the 56th minute and added two assists.”

Senior midfielder Lou Combrinck was named BIG EAST Field Hockey Offensive Player of the week, while sophomore defender Dara Semmartin was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week.

Combrinck and Semmartin played crucial roles in Liberty’s 4-3 comeback win against No. 5 Duke. Combrinck scored the game-winning goal in the 56th minute and provided two assists. Semmartin scored a goal and assisted on Combrinck’s game-winning goal. Liberty overcame a 3-0 deficit to score four unanswered goals.

The victory against No. 5 Duke marked Liberty’s highest-ranked win in a season opener and their sixth top-five victory. It was also the first time Liberty has won after trailing by three goals. The team has won eight straight season openers as 2018.

Liberty holds a 6-8 record in home openers. Last year, they lost 2-1 to No. 3 Virginia in their home opener.

In 2024, Liberty had a 6-3 home record and a 9-0 home record in 2023.

The last time Liberty and James Madison played in Lynchburg was in 2023 on Liberty’s Senior Day, with Liberty winning 3-2. The last three games between the teams have been decided by a single goal.

Combrinck was named the Preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous Preseason All-BIG EAST team selection, with Semmartin also named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST team.

Combrinck, Semmartin, freshman Paris Gail-Isaacs, junior Maite Altamirano, freshman Julieta returned, and freshman Diane Saint Martin were all named to the 2025 NFHCA Watchlist.

Liberty’s 24-player roster includes 12 newcomers: Paris-Gail Isaacs (D), Maite Altamirano (M), Mia Santana (M) julieta returned (D), Diane Saint Martin (GK), Morena Giacosa (D), Zoé Gaillard (F), Luna prieri (F – Longwood transfer), Caroline Richard (M), Autumn Albright (D), Isa pardo (GK) and Liz Bustillo (M/F).

Liberty is ranked 17th in the penn Monto/NFHCA Division I Preseason National Coaches Poll. Their schedule includes games against six teams in the preseason rankings: No. 2 North Carolina, No.3 Virginia, No. 5 Duke,No. 9 Saint Joseph’s,No. 11 UConn, and No. 18 UAlbany.