Tweet #FiredUp

WINTER PARK, Fla. - The Lee women opened the soccer season with a hard fought 2-2 double-overtime draw with Sunshine State Conference opponent Rollins College at Barker Family Stadium on Thursday afternoon. What else would you expect from these two talented squads who have staged thrilling battles since the Lady Flames moved to the NCAA D2 ranks?

Rollins got on board first when Kathryn O'Brien tallied off an assist from Chynna McGirt with only 1:15 gone off the scoreboard clock.

The Lady Flames battled back to tie the game when Lauren Peters scored an unassisted goal with the clock showing 40:42.

The battle went back and forth until Rollins regained the lead at the 51:19 mark. The score came on a penalty kick by Jill Richards. Lee fought right back and tied the contest on Devin Healy's unassisted goal at the 56:36 mark.

The Lady Flames had 17 shots and placed 10 on goal. Rollins was out-shot recording 10 shots and had five on goal. Lee coach Chris Hennessey had high praise for Rollins goalkeeper Kelly Rowswell. Lady Flames keeper Taylor Green finished the contest with three saves.

Both teams were awarded seven corner kicks. Lee was whistled for six fouls and Rollins was tagged with 12.

"Rollins was a much improved team," pointed out coach Hennessey. "It was a tough match but I was pleased with the play of some of our freshmen. In fact, all of our forwards played well." The coach did single out the play of Mia Hollingsworth, Riley Engels and Kelsey Yoder.

The Lady Flames staff used 16 players in the mid-afternoon Florida heat. They will return to Cleveland and look for cooler conditions when they host Trevecca Nazarene University on Monday at 7 p.m. on the Lee soccer pitch.