HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Ashley Aragona scored at the 24:15 mark and Laura Thacker used her head to turn away a possible game-tying goal late in the second half as the second-ranked Lee women's soccer team defeated host and eighth-ranked William Carey in an SSAC battle on Friday evening.

"They are as good as anyone we have played this season and probably deserving of a better ranking than eighth.," said coach Matt Yelton after directing his club to the tough win. "The entire conference has improved. Going on the road and winning is not going to be easy for anyone this year."

The Lady Flames improved to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in league play. "This was our fourth straight shutout," noted Yelton. "The backline and midfield is helping hold us together.. Leah Wilson (goalkeeper) was fantastic." The senior keeper had six saves as William Carey fired 17 shots and had six on goal.

"I'm proud of the entire team," added Yelton. "Aragona is playing at about 50 percent on an injured ankle, and Ode (Fulutudilu) is sick and played at around 80 percent. But we've got to turn right around and play Belhaven tomorrow afternoon. We're tired and banged up. We can't take anything for granted. "The header by Thacker was huge tonight. We had several good chances to score, but just couldn't get the result."

Overall the Lady fired 24 shots and put 10 on target, but Aragona's shot was the only one to reach the back of the Crusaders' net. Leah Fortune picked up the assist. William Carey keeper, Linfa Jones, helped keep her club in the thick of the contest with nine saves. Lee was awarded 11 corner kicks and William Carey nine.

The defeat dropped the Crusaders to 7-2-1 overall and 2-1 in the SSAC.