COLUMBUS, Ga. – Host Columbus State University scored four second-half goals in under 13 minutes on Sunday afternoon in the final game of the power-packed CSU Collegiate Invitational.
After trailing 1-0 at the half and being out-played for most of the opening 45 minutes, the Lee women's soccer team came out with plenty of energy in the early part of the second half and tied the score at 1-1 on an unassisted goal by Summer Lanter in the 63rd minute.
The Lady Cougars re-took control and in bang, bang, bang, bang fashion knocked four scores into the back of the net and suddenly held a 5-1 lead in route to the 5-2 victory.
"Their second goal seemed to take all the adrenaline out of our ladies," admitted coach Chris Hennessey. "Not trying to make excuses, but Friday afternoon's game took a lot out of our girls plus Columbus State has a 32 person roster and they substituted freely in both halves. They could all play."
Hennessey added that his club could take some positives from the two invitational defeats. "We were matched against two really strong clubs and we will use these two games as a learning experience. In the opening 20-25 minutes of the second half, we played some outstanding soccer. We've got to build on that and come back and get a victory against Newberry on Friday."
Junior Nicole Corcione stole the show for the Lady Cougars. She scored the first goal of the match at the 8:43 mark and then came back with another score in the 76th minute. She also added an assist.
After Lanter tied the game at the 62:45 mark, Mandy Janovitz fooled two Lee defenders on the right side and pushed her shot into the left-side of the goal. Just over two minutes later, Hugrun Elvarsdottir made it a 3-1 game as she picked up the first of two assists from Cassandra Wade. The final Columbus State score was recorded at the 83 minute mark. Wade got into the scoring act on Corcione's assist.
Hennessey pulled one positive from the score sheet by noting that his team fired 19 shots and placed 11 on goal. However, the Lady Cougars' goalkeeper Maylyn Parsons picked off eight of Lee's shots. She put in a superb effort. Her teammates also added a save.
The final stat line did not look good for Lee's keeper Haley Gribler. Although Columbus State registered five goals, Gribler recorded several diving saves in the first half and finished the evening with seven. The Lady Cougars attempted 24 shots and the rapid-firing club directed 13 on target.
Lee's other score came in the 87th minute when freshman Mia Hollingsworth slid a shot past the Lady Cougar keeper right at the goal line. Lee also got a solid offensive effort from McKenzie Bricker who attempted five shots and led a solid 20-25 minutes of play in the second half.
The Lady Flames will host Newberry in the annual Kickin-It For Kids with Cancer on Friday at 7 p.m.
