HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Lee University senior Tatum Miller scored a goal she will likely never forget in the semifinal round of the Gulf South Conference Championship on Thursday evening. With Mississippi College goalkeeper Jessi Carro pulled away from the goal, Miller outbattled the determined Lady Choctaw and placed her shot into the wide-open net to give the Lady Flames a 2-1 lead in the 79th minute. The memorable shot was her fifth goal of the year.
In the 84th minute, Lee would add an insurance goal and go onto the 3-1 win. The hard work of Grace Berry paid off when she delivered her fifth assist to senior Ruth Edrington who scored on a beautiful kick from some 25 yards away. It was her third goal of the season.
The Lady Choctaws scored the first goal of the hard-fought affair when Margherita Giubilato put her team on top in the 26th minute. The goal was assisted by Kaylee Foster. The Lady Flames made it a 1-1 contest at halftime when Alaysia Nye tallied her team-leading 12th goal of the year. Amelya Jacobs dished off the assist.
The fourth-ranked Lady Flames remain undefeated on the year with a 15-0-4 record. They will face the University of Montevallo (12-4-3) in the championship game on Saturday afternoon (1 p.m. EST) at the John Hunt Soccer Complex. Montevallo advanced with a 3-2 victory over the University West Alabama. It will mark the second meeting between Lee and the Falcons this season. The two clubs battled to a 0-0 draw on Sept. 24.
Again it was the Lady Flames defense that dominated play on Thursday evening. Led by GSC Defensive Player of the Year Kate Dirkse and teammates Jordan Blair, Juliana Lopes, Katie Wilson, Avery Sides, Hailey Johnson and Ashley Eulo, Lee limited the Lady Choctaws to only five shots the entire contest, two were on goal. Mississippi College had four corner kicks and goalkeeper Carro had six saves. The Lady Choctaws were called for 11 fouls and Lee seven. Each team received a yellow card. Lady Flame keeper Abby Whitcomb had one save.
Coach Chris Hennessey's Thoughts:
"I thought the game was very even in the first half. MC scored the initial goal and it was the first time all season we had trailed. I was really impressed with our response and character, it seemed to kick us into gear a little bit more. Everyone all over the field was excellent tonight and they left everything on the field."
"Saturday is a championship so previous games means nothing. It is all about that day so we will be as ready as we possibly can and it will take a whole team effort."
