PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A memorable postseason run came to end on Thursday night for the Lee women's soccer team as No. 1 Grand Valley State defeated the Lady Flames, 3-0 in the NCAA D2 Final Four from Highmark Stadium.
Grand Valley State struck first in the 19
th minute as Caitie Baron drilled a shot just under the crossbar and over the outstretched arms of Lee keeper Taylor Green. Sydney O'Donnell set up the strike and was credited with the assist.
Moments later in the 22
nd minute Ava Cook took a pass from Riko Sagara and blasted a shot home for her 24
th goal of the year and her incredible 15
th goal of the postseason. The Lakers would take the 2-0 advantage into the intermission.
The Lady Flames came out of the halftime break on the attack outshooting the Lakers, 7-2 in the first 18 minutes. "I thought in the first half we played a bit timid but we came out in the second half with much better intensity, execution and most importantly belief," said head coach Chris Hennessey.
Grand Valley would end any hope of a comeback attempt however as Chelsea Graves added the final score as her shot slipped through the fingers of Green to make it 3-0 at the 66:45 mark.
"I'm so incredibly proud of our team and our seniors for their incredible leadership this season," said Lee head coach Chris Hennessey. "Grand Valley is a good team and experienced at this stage. They have a reputation that precedes them and rightfully so they did not make many mistakes."
Lee's Green posted eight saves in goal while Grand Valley keeper Jessica Radice had four saves.
The players battled through freezing rain and temperatures off the shores off the Pittsburgh Riverfront.
"We knew we would have to concede possession because they are so good on the ball and pick our chances but in the end we have to credit them, I think the better team won tonight but our girls should tremendous heart and effort and should be very proud of what they accomplished," said Hennessey.
The Lakers out shot the Lady Flames, 20-8 and placed 11 on frame to four for Lee. Grand Valley took four corners while the Lady Flames earned two.
"I'm just really thankful to have been a part this program and to have accomplished advancing all the way to the Final Four," said senior Lauren Peters. "I'm so proud of my teammates for the way we all came together during a tough stretch in the middle of the season and never gave up."
"We all came together during the season and knew we could accomplish something special and I'm so happy to have been able to experience this with these ladies and our coaches and I'm really going to miss being a part of this team," said senior forward Kate Carney.
The Lady Flames end a magical season with a final mark of 17-7-1. Grand Valley remains a perfect 25-0-1and will look for the program's sixth NCAA D2 Championship on Saturday as it hosts Bridgeport. The Purple Knights defeated UC-San Diego, 2-0 in the other semifinal.
