MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Seventh-seeded University of Montevallo continued in what the Falcons describe as a magical run in handing the No. 2 seeded Lee women a 1-0 defeat in the semifinal round of the Gulf South Conference soccer tournament.
"Credit to Montevallo, they came out with a hunger we didn't match," pointed out Lee head coach Chris Hennessey after his Lady Flames slipped to 13-6-1. "A slow start hurt us and we were never able to find our rhythm throughout the course of the game. We now have to wait and find out our fate Monday in the NCAA selections."
The annual event is being staged on the Emory Folmar Soccer Complex. The Falcons (10-6-3) advance to the championship game and will face the winner of top-seeded West Florida and West Alabama in the other semi-final contest slated for later Friday evening.
The Falcons and Lady Flames battled to a 0-0 draw at the end of the first 45 minutes. Montevallo struck quickly (48:55) in the second stanza when freshman Romee Contreras moved the ball for 30 yards down the right side, and then fired a shot over Lee keeper Taylor Green and into the upper left corner of the net for her 10th goal of the season.
Lee just missed a tying goal in the 69th minute. However, Falcon keeper Annie Mason recorded her eighth and final save of the match to seal the win. Green also had eight saves for the Lady Flames. Montevallo had an 18-17 edge in shots and 8-7 advantage on shots on goal. Both teams were awarded five corner kicks. The rugged match saw the Falcons charged with seven fouls and Lee five.
"We have played a lot of soccer over the past couple of weeks. I think fatigue played a part today," said Hennessey in closing.
