The 2019 season ended for the Lady Flames on Sunday afternoon on the Lee Soccer Field with a 2-1 loss to Embry-Riddle University (Daytona Beach, Florida) in the final round of the NCAA D2 South Regional. It marked the fifth straight year the Lady Flames have reached D2 National Tournament play.
It was also in the fifth consecutive win for Eagles who made the D2 field by advancing on penalty kicks over Rollins College in the final round of the Sunshine State Athletic Conference Tournament. Embry-Riddle earned the right to challenge Lee by defeating the same Rollins team in the D2 South Region opener on Friday.
The Eagles moved on top when Rita Okoro came off the bench to score her eighth goal of season at the 40:24 mark of the first half. The beautifully executed goal saw Okoro cut back across her body to nail her shot into the left corner of the post. Marie Seim got the assist and Embry-Riddle lead 1-0 at the half.
The Florida club struck again in the second half and the margin reached 2-0 in the 63rd minute. Julia Olsson tallied on the ever-present Okoro's assist.
The Lady Flames refused to quit and fought back like they have the entire season. Riley Henry had a one-one-one opportunity saved by Eagle keeper Dana Ruchti in the 71th minute, but Lee continued to push forward and Kelsey Yoder scored off a corner kick by Henry to cut the margin to 2-1 in the 82nd minute. However the desperate comeback came up short.
"I'm disappointed and it was tough way to end the season," said Lee Coach Chris Hennessey as his Lady Flames finished another successful season at 16-6. "I'm thankful for a great group of seniors. They set a tremendous example for their teammates. Injuries hurt our team over the year but our girls kept battling. Give Embry-Riddle credit, they are really playing well at the right time."
The outstanding careers ended for Lee seniors Riley Engels, Carly Smoltz, Emma Higgins and Taylor Green, who finished her goalkeeping duties with a 15-5 record this season. She recorded four saves in Sunday's game.
After being outshot 7-4 by the Eagles in the first half, Lee was much more aggressive in the second frame and had 11 shots to only three for the defensive-minded Embry-Riddle club. Eagle keeper Ruchti, had seven big saves and improved her season record to 10-6-3.
The Eagles had eight corner kicks to seven for the Lady Flames. Aggressive Embry-Riddle was whistled for 12 fouls to only five for Lee.
