KISSIMMEE, Fla. – After watching the Lee men's soccer team win its first NCCAA national championship earlier on Saturday afternoon, the Lady Flames decided to make it an all Lee University day when they defeated a talented Grace College (Ind.) team 6-5 on penalty kicks.
The win by the Lady Flames touched off a celebration between the Lee men and women teams that lasted for several minutes. Maybe Lee men's coach Paul Furey stated it best when he said "It's just a great day to be a part of Lee soccer."
With four consecutive NAIA national championships tucked away, winning a first NCCAA title did not come easy for the never-say-die Lady Flames. They trailed the talented Lancers 1-0 with less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation play.
But Yelton's club refused to fold and freshman Nicole Blanchard tallied in the 80
th minute to tie the contest at one apiece. In the first half, Grace had taken the lead on a goal by Meredith Hollar in the 20
th minute.
After two 10-minute overtime periods, the thrilling contest remained deadlocked at one, forcing a penalty-kick shootout.
In the shootout, Michele Spangler, Kaela Leskovar, Katie Cloud, Meagan Newman, Kinsey Cichowitz and Allison Braun made their kicks to put the pressure squarely on Grace's final kicker who had to make her shot to keep the shootout alive.
Egwuenu, who has stepped up bigtime for the Lady Flames, especially late in the season, made the save of her career when she blocked the match's final attempt and was later presented the game ball by coach Yelton.
Lee attempted 15 shots and was remarkably accurate with 12 shots on target. Grace also attempted 14 shots and matched the Lady Flames with 12 on goal. Egwuenu had seven saves in claiming the win, while Abby Schue collected five saves in the loss.
Yelton told his ladies after the celebration ended and the picture taking was concluded, that this was one of the hardest working teams he had coached since taking the Lee position. "We got off to a 1-3 start and a lot of people were writing our girls off for the year but they refused to quit and grouped together as well as any club I have had the privilege to coach."
Officially the final season record will show 15-4-1 because soccer rules do not count shootouts as an official victory. However, you can be sure that Yelton and his entire team will declare this a 16-4-1 year. Grace ends its season at 17-4-4.
