MOBILE, Ala. – Three second-half goals was the difference as the Lee University women's soccer team defeated Spring Hill College, 4-1, Friday afternoon at SHC's Library Field. The Lady Flames (2-1) will remain on the road with a non-conference match against Embry-Riddle (Fla.) Sunday afternoon in Gulf Shores, Ala.
"We played well the first half," said Lee head coach Chris Hennessey. "We played a lot better. We passed the ball and showed more patience, so I was happy about that."
Freshman Devin Healy opened the scoring with her first of two goals in the 27
th minute. McKenzie Bricker assisted Healy for the corner kick goal.
The Lady Badgers (0-3) tallied the equalizer in the 35
th minute. Gabrielle Burmaster gathered a long pass from Sidney Spivey, beat a defender and placed the ball just out of the reach of Lee goalkeeper Erin Olson to send the match into halftime tied at 1-1.
Lauren Peters delivered the eventual game-winner with a goal in the 63
rd minute. Summer Lanter crossed the ball into the middle of the box and Peters finished from eight yards out.
Healy's second goal of the match once again came from an assist by Bricker. Bricker's corner kick was cleared by the Spring Hill defense, but the senior was able to regain possession and sent a cross into the box where Healy received the pass and scored from six yards away.
The final strike was delivered by Anna Leslie in the 86
th minute. Leslie scored on a header off a Marissa Villafuerte cross.
"I think we came out with a bit more energy and better execution in the second half. We found some better opportunities and got some goals," added the third-year coach.
The Lady Flames took 32 shots, but put just seven on frame. Spring Hill was more accurate with three of its four shots on goal.
"We're missing way too many easy chances right now," lamented Hennessey. "When we play big teams further down the season, we're going to have to finish them."
Olson recorded two saves to pick up the win. Hannah Shankman tallied three saves in the loss.
