HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Mississippi College scored four goals in just over 8½ minutes in the second half and handed Lee a 4-2 defeat in the Gulf South Conference Women's Soccer Championship game on Sunday afternoon at John Hunt Park.
The march to the championship game ended an outstanding run by the Lady Flames who were fifth seeded in the tournament and had posted upset wins over Montevallo and top-seeded West Florida heading into Sunday's contest.
Lee held a 1-0 lead at the end of the first half, thanks to an own goal by the Choctaws. "I think the first half we survived with them. We were fortunate to get an own goal and had (enough) to keep up with their pace," explained Coach Chris Hennessey after the Lady Flames slipped to 12-3-5 on the year. "We just didn't have it in the second half. Congrats to Mississippi College. They wanted it more today and were the better team today."
The Choctaws' scoring spree started at the 53:17 mark on a goal by Silva Eduarda. In over a minute later (58:43) Erin Hederman put Mississippi College on top to stay. Beatrice Currie made it a 3-1 game (61:11) and Avery Hederman put the icing on the victory cake when she nailed a penalty kick at 61:53. Lee's final score came in the 84th minute when Kate Dirkse stepped up and nailed a penalty kick to cut the Choctaw margin to 4-2.
The Lady Flames fired 10 shots during the match but were held to just one shot on goal. Mississippi College kept the Lee defenders busy, getting off 17 shots and placing 11 on target. Lee keeper Josie Taylor registered seven saves.
Lee was awarded 10 corner kicks and the Choctaws five. Referee Eric Phillips sounded his whistle for 20 foul calls. Mississippi College had 11 fouls and Lee nine.
Erin Hederman was named the tournament's most outstanding player while Lee's Ellie Crisler, Kate Dirkse and Ashley Eulo were named to the all-tournament team.
"The girls are going to be hurting today. Hopefully, we get another chance to play next weekend. If we do we have a lot to work on in a short time," noted Coach Hennessey. A list of the teams that will be playing in the upcoming NCAA South Region will be released on Monday at 7 p.m.
