CLEVELAND, Tenn. - First-year Lee University women's soccer coach Lee Hughes began a system of using many of his players in each contest. The move paid dividends in a big way on Friday evening as the Lady Flames used 10 reserves in a convincing 2-0 important GSC victory over Delta State University inside the Ray Conn Sports Complex.

The win improved Lee's record to 5-1-2 in conference play and 5-3-4 overall. The Lady Statesmen dropped to 2-3-4 and 3-4-5. The Lady Flames will close out the home season on Sunday (1 p.m.) and nine seniors will be honored on Senior Day.

Junior Alaysia Nye came off the bench to score the first goal for Lee in the first half at the 30:57 mark. The unassisted score was her second of the season. In the opening 45 minutes, Lee fired six shots and held the visitors to only four. The ball-hawking Lady Flames controlled the tempo of the contest from start to finish. Junior forward Grace Berry moved in and around the Lady Statesmen's defense most of the first 45 minutes.

Lee's second goal came early in the second half and it came off the foot of Maddie Davis. The sophomore tallied her first goal of the year on a floater that sailed over the head of the Delta State keeper and into the far corner of the net. The score was assisted by consistent junior defender Avery Sides.

Senior defender and field general Katie Wilson and junior keeper Abby Whitcomb joined freshman Whitney Carrigan in being the only Lady Flames to play the entire 90 minutes and set the pace for the rugged contest. When it came to other reserves, Coach Hughes got solid play from senior Mallory Hayden (50 minutes), freshman Lucy Smith (38 minutes) and graduate assistants Beyonce Robinson and Alexis Hale, each played 31 minutes.

For the game, Lee fired 15 shots and placed five on target. Nye had two, Addie Chapman one, Hayden one and Davis the other. Delta State attempted 10 shots and stats showed they had four on goal. Lee keeper Whitcomb registered four saves.

The Lady Flames domination showed with nine corner kicks to only one for the Lady Statesmen. The aggressive Lee club was called for 13 fouls and Delta State was whistled for five, none in the opening half.

Coach Lee Hughes' thoughts:
"Really happy with the response in the second half. We really challenged them and they responded. Created more than enough chances to score more goals.
"But tomorrow is another day to get better and that's the trend we are on!"