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FLORENCE, Ala. – Thanks to a second half goal from senior Summer Lanter the Lee women's soccer team knocked off eighth-ranked North Alabama, 1-0 on Sunday afternoon to hand the Lions their first Gulf South Conference loss of the season.

Lanter drilled her team-leading sixth goal of the season in the 55^th minute off an assist from Riley Engels to supply the lone score of the evenly contest match. After winning GSC Player of the Year last year, Lanter is making another strong case for the honor as she is second in the league in goals and leads the GSC with four game-winning goals.

Senior keeper Haley Gribler made the lead stick as she registered eight saves in keeping the clean sheet. Gribler has posted three shutouts this year and boasts a tidy 0.83 goals against average.

The clash between two of the top teams in the GSC lived up to its billing as the statistics were nearly identical. The Lions held a slim 14-12 advantage in shots while UNA placed eight of those on frame compared to six for the Lady Flames.

"North Alabama is extremely talented and very well coached by Chris Walker we knew this was going to be a great test and it certainly was," said head coach Chris Hennessey after the match. "One of the biggest keys for us today is I thought we were really organized in the back. UNA is very athletic, and their movement is good up front so we knew we would need to be really solid in the back and Haley and the defenders did a wonderful job executing the plan today."

North Alabama's Shelby Thornton was tagged with the loss in net. Thornton was credited with five saves while allowing the solo goal.

Kylie Huey placed three shots on goal for the home team but each time Gribler was up for the challenge and recorded the save. Huey leads the league in goals with seven.

"Early in the season we were still trying to figure out our right shape and formation but here lately I think we've really settled down and the girls are playing together with great confidence and positivity across the board. It certainly starts with our seniors and their leadership but we are getting production from everyone and it's showing on the field and on the sidelines," added Hennessey.

Lee has now won three straight matches and is 7-3 overall and tops in the GSC with a 6-1 mark. The Lions fall to 8-2 on the year and are now 7-1 in conference play.  The Lady Flames currently hold the head-to-head tiebreaker against both UNA and Mississippi College.  

The Lady Flames will return home after going 3-1 on the road over the last two weeks.  Coach Hennessey's club will host Valdosta State (6-3, 4-2) on Friday evening at 7 p.m. before welcoming West Florida (6-2, 3-1) to town for a Sunday showdown at 2 p.m.