CLEVELAND, Tenn. For the third time in the history of Lee University and Florida Tech soccer, the two teams will meet again on Sunday afternoon (2 p.m.) at the Ray Conn Sports Complex. On this occasion it will be in the second round of the NCAA Division II South Region Women's Soccer Championship. 

In the opening round of the South Region on Friday afternoon, Florida Tech (Melbourne, Fla.) earned the right to face the third-ranked Lady Flames by defeating Rollins College (Winter Park, Fla.) 3-0.  

Lee and the Panthers first met in 2017 and the Lady Flames claimed a 2-0 win in National South Region Tournament play. In 2021, the Lady Flames and Florida Tech battled again at the Ray Conn Sports Complex. After regulation play and two overtimes, the rugged contest was still deadlocked at 1-1. In penalty kicks, the Panthers advanced (3-2) and Lee's undefeated ended at 19-0-1.  

Sunday's meeting finds the Panthers returning seven players that played in the 2021 contest. However, there could be as many as five new starters when the first ball is kicked on Sunday. The Lady Flames had five players in the last meeting and two of those main players were injured early this year and will not be participating.  

Both teams are defensive-minded. Florida Tech, in posting a 14-2-3 record, has scored 46 goals but allowed only nine. On the other hand, Lee has scored 43 times and surrendered just five. The Panthers are led in scoring by Marem Ndiongue, who has recorded 15 goals this season. Goalkeeper Avana Aoyagi has a 12-2-3 record.  

The Lady Flames are led by Alaysia Nye with 12 goals, but it has been the defense that has stepped up for Coach Chris Hennessey's club that is led by Kate Dirkse, who has also kicked in with seven goals.  

"It is going to be a tough game," said Coach Hennessey. "Florida Tech is a very strong and well-organized team. We are going to go to work and get ready but it is going to take one of our best efforts to win."