CLEVELAND, Tenn. - After getting off to a 0-2-2 start in non-conference play, Coach Lee Hughes picked up his first victory as the leader of the Lee University women's soccer program on Friday evening as the Lady Flames opened Gulf South Conference play with a 3-0 win over the University of West Alabama at the Ray Conn Sports Complex.
Lee will return to action on Sunday afternoon and will host the University of Alabama at Huntsville in another GSC contest slated for a 1 p.m. start. The Chargers opened their season on Friday with a 1-0 win over conference newcomer Trevecca Nazarene.
The Lady Flames defense was in total command in Friday's victory, limiting the Tigers to only two shots the entire 90 minutes and only one was on goal. It was saved by Lee goalkeeper Abby Whitcomb. On the other hand, Coach Hughes' team quickly jumped on top 1-0 (7:24) in the opening half. Jordan Blair picked up an assist from Grace Berry and curled her shot over the head of the West Alabama keeper into the far upper corner of the net.
The second score came just over six minutes deep into the second half (51:23) when Isabella Valentine claimed a loose ball and placed her shot into the far corner of the net from some 20 yards out. Under three minutes later, the Lady Flames put the icing on the victory cake when Berry put a 360-move on the West Alabama defender and drilled her shot into the net from the 18.
While Lee was limiting the Tigers to two shots, it was firing frequently with 21 shots and had 10 on frame. Tiger keeper Dior Wilson came away with seven saves in taking the loss.
In controlling the battle, the Lady Flames had nine corner kicks to only two for the Tigers. The rugged action saw Lee called for 15 fouls and West Alabama 12. With the loss, the Tigers dropped to 1-3 overall, 0-1 in GSC play.
Coach Hughes went to his bench freely and used 25 players overall. Only Katie Wilson and Whitcomb played the entire 90 minutes while Whitney Carrigan was in for 83 minutes. The Lady Flames should be well-rested for a hot Sunday afternoon against Alabama Huntsville.
Coach Lee Hughes' thoughts:
"It was a great team effort on all fronts. We showed what we are all about for each moment of the game. There is still a lot more room to grow and we will keep pursuing that, which starts tomorrow (Sunday). But we are excited for the team to start conference off with a win!"
