The Lee University women’s soccer team completed an unbeaten regular season on Sunday at the Ray Conn Sports Complex. Playing on a summer-type autumn afternoon and honoring five seniors, the Lady Flames defeated Union University 4-0, finishing at 13-0-4 and 10-0-2 in GSC play. The Lady Bulldogs dropped to 8-8-1, 7-6-0. It was Lee's ninth shutout of the season.
Lee seniors Ruth Edrington, Ellie Crisler, Regan Henkey, Kate Dirkse, Sophie Ramseur and their family members were recognized before play began on Sunday. The Lady Flames will host the University of West Georgia in GSC tournament play next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. They are second-seeded in the eight-team event.
Lady Flames seniors were recognized before their 4-0 game against Union on Sunday.
Sunday’s scoring began in the 16th minute (16:21) when Juliana Lopes tallied her second goal of the season. Hailey Johnson delivered the assist. It was her third of the year. Lee led 2-0 at halftime. Amelya Jacobs received a well-played ball by Grace Berry and landed her sixth goal of the season at the 33:18 mark. It was Berry’s fifth assist of the year.
The Lady Flames wasted no time in stretching the margin to 3-0 early in the second half and allowing Coach Chris Hennessey go to his bench freely. Berry drilled an unassisted goal in the 51st minute (51:43). It was her sixth goal of the season. The game’s final goal came in the 76th minute (76:48) and Jacobs did the honors with her second goal of the afternoon. It was her seventh of the season. Mallory Miller picked up her third assist.
““Our five seniors Ellie, Ruthie, Kate, Regan, and Sophie and done a great job leading the team by example and not just on the field but behind the scenes as well.””
Again, the Lee defense was up to the challenge. Led by Dirkse, Jordan Blair, Avery Sides, Katie Wilson and Lopes, the Lady Flames turned back every charge by the Lady Bulldogs. The defensive play of the game came in the 22nd minute when Lee keeper Abby Whitcomb came up with what Coach Hennessey called “a great save”.
Whitcomb finished the afternoon with six saves and improved her record to 9-0-4 as Union attempted nine shots and six were registered on goal. On the other side, Lee fired 19 shots and had seven on target. Union keeper Rylee lorio allowed four goals and picked up three saves. The Lady Flames had three corner kicks and their defense was a bright spot again in allowing the visitors no corner kicks. Lee was called for eight fouls and the Lady Bulldogs six.