The coronavirus has affected athletic teams on all levels during the past year and Lee women's soccer was hit hard when NCAA, DII and the Gulf South Conference cancelled the fall season. While several conferences did not move play to the spring, the GSC decided to play games in the spring and hold a conference championship, but the NCAA will not have a national championship format.
"The fall was very inconsistent for us," explained Lee Head Coach Chris Hennessey. "Like many of my teams, I cannot remember a day where we had everyone present. Our focus was trying to get the players up to a certain standard of fitness and back on the ball."
To help his club get ready for the regular season opener against Lipscomb, Hennessey has pitted his Lady Flames against three strong exhibition opponents in North Georgia, Columbus University and Alabama Huntsville.
Key players lost from last year's team: The Lady Flames unfortunately lost Devin Healy to an injury and Riley Engels, who tallied seven goals and five assists to graduation.
Key players returning: "One aspect I like about this team is we aren't reliant on just one or two players," said Hennessey. "We have a strong upperclassman presence that is capable of winning games throughout the year. I also like how far our sophomore class has come in a short amount of time and expect them to really kick in this spring."
Senior forward Riley Henry, who transferred from Lipscomb, paced the Lady Flames in total points (20) last season, seven goals and six assists. Senior midfielder Kelsey Yoder came on strong in the latter half of the 2019 season and finished with 12 points, five goals and two assist. Junior defender Avery Engels stepped up with 11 points, five goals and one assist. Junior forward Lauren Weimer produced a pair of goals and two assists. Sophomore midfielder/forward Mallory Hayden proved she was ready to move up with two scores and an assist, while junior midfielder Julia Kaset rounded out Lee's returning 41-goals scored with two tallies to the back of the net.
Defender Anna Lanter will once again anchor a stout Lee defense. Earlier two of her sisters were All-Americans for the Lady Flames. The door is wide open for the sophomore class that Coach Hennessey is looking forward to producing more action. He's eager to see how quickly they develop against the fast-paced college play.
Key new recruit: Hennessey says senior transfer Jackie Burns, a former goalkeeper for Carson–Newman, has come in and added a tremendous amount of experience to the team. "She has very good pedigree and will help us solidify the defense this spring," he added.
Areas seeking to improve: "When I look back at the previous season, we gave away some soft goals through the middle, so that will be an area we are certainly looking to improve on. We also need to be more clinical in the moments around the goal that matter," Hennessey, a former top-notch performer for the Lee men's soccer team, stressed.
The schedule: West Florida has opted not to play a GSC schedule this spring. With the always strong Pensacola club missing from the slate, who does the Lee leader expect to challenge the Lady Flames for conference honors?
"It is hard to say who the team(s) to beat will be," he admitted. "COVID has affected everyone in some way, shape or form. Based on previous years, teams like Mississippi College, Montevallo, West Alabama, and Valdosta State will all be incredibly tough. I think this year will depend on which team can stay healthy and have as little disruption as possible from COVID."
The Lady Flames will be playing four non-conference opponents; Lipscomb (Feb.6), Lincoln Memorial (Feb.9), Carson-Newman (Feb.18) and Trevecca Nazarene (March 5). "We have added a strong non-conference schedule to give the players minutes and get them back into a rhythm, getting ready for (GSC) post-season play," the coach noted. In the GSC, Lee will be pitted against Valdosta State, Auburn Montgomery, West Georgia, Shorter and Montevallo before the conference playoffs begin.
