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RUSTON, La. – Avenging its loss in the regular-season meeting, No. 2 Liberty defeated No. 1 NM State, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon at Robert Mack Caruthers Field. Saydie Holland delivered the game-winning goal in the 86^th minute, heading in a corner from Rachel DeRuby.
 
DeRuby scored the opening goal for the Lady Flames (16-2-1) and finished the week with eight points, which matched the record for most points in a single CUSA Championship. She earned Offensive MVP honors for the tournament with three goals and a pair of assists.
 
CUSA Goalkeeper of the Year Ainsley Leja garnered Defensive MVP recognition with just one goal allowed in the team’s two matches. She made nine stops, including a crucial jumping save in the 58^th minute to preserve the 1-1 stalemate.
 
Liberty got on the board in the 19^th minute courtesy of a spot-kick conversion by DeRuby, making her 3-for-3 on the year and moving her into a tie for the second-most goals in a single CUSA Championship (three).
 
The Aggies (10-6-3) equalized in the 35^th minute as Gia Valenti finished off a headed attempt from Carolina Rodriguez for her third goal of the week. Valenti, a senior, had scored four career goals prior to finding the back of the net three times in the CUSA Championship.
 
The Lady Flames secured the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and await their matchup, which is set to be announced Monday at 3 p.m. CT on NCAA.com.
 
2023 CUSA Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team
Rachel DeRuby, Liberty (Offensive MVP)
Ainsley Leja, Liberty (Defensive MVP)
Allison Hansford, Liberty
Saydie Holland, Liberty
Xitlaly Hernandez, NM State
Loma McNeese, NM State
Gia Valenti, NM State
Kalli Matlock, LA Tech
Josie Studer, LA Tech
Andrea Nugent, Sam Houston
Landri Townsend, Sam Houston