CLEVELAND, TENN.-Lee coach Chris Hennessey was right on target when he praised the play of freshman goalkeeper Josie Taylor. Under constant fire from a determined Mississippi College team in the second half, Taylor came up with nine saves to help the Lady Flames defeat the Lady Choctaws 2-0.
"Josie came up big in the second half," commented Hennessey. "She is just a freshman, and she will keep getting better. She has the trust of the team and that is an important factor."
The rugged contest was played before a solid crowd at the Ray Conn Sports Complex on Friday afternoon. The win pushed the Lady Flames to 4-0-3 overall and more importantly 2-0-1 in GSC play. The visitors slipped to 4-2-0, 1-1-0.
"It was a good game. It takes two great teams to have a good game so hats off to Mississippi College," added the Lee Coach. "I liked the way we came out and attacked early. We had to defend very well in the second half. It was the first time this season we have really defended together."
Before several of the fans could get seated, the Lady Flames scored with only 1:27 gone off the scoreboard clock. Mallory Hayden delivered a perfect corner kick into the box and freshman Juliana Lopes nailed a header into the back of the net.
The rugged defensive play for both squads took over the remainder of the first half. In fact, the Lady Choctaws came out firing in the second half and the Lady Flames battled. For the game the visitors had 13 shots and placed nine on target, but Taylor was there to reject several well-placed shots.
Lee defenders Avery Engels, Katie Wilson, Kate Dirkse and Jordan Blair were among those who worked extra hard to turn away the determined Mississippi College team. Lee salted the victory away at the 84th minute when Ellie Crisler got a well-played ball from Grace Berry and Alexis Hale and drilled it home for her ninth goal of the season. Lee had 12 shots overall and only three were between the posts. Anna Wes Driskell finished the contest with two saves for the Choctaws. Each team was awarded four corner kicks.
"Sunday will be a challenge," said Hennessey. "The second game of the weekend is always different, and we will have to show the same intensity as today against Delta State." The Lady Flames and the Lady Statesmen will open play in the first game of the Sunday doubleheader at 1 p.m.
