LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Battling the heat and a very physical University of West Alabama women's soccer team, the 13th-ranked Lee University Lady Flames scored two goals in the first half and then turned away a threatening Tiger team in posting a hard-fought 2-1 victory on the UWA Track & Soccer Complex on Sunday afternoon.
Lee completed the two-game road trip with a 1-1 GSC record and stands at 3-1-1 overall. West Alabama slips to 0-1-1 in league play and 3-1-2. The Lady Flames return to the Ray Conn Sports Complex and will host Valdosta State University on Friday (5 p.m.) and Auburn University Montgomery on Sunday (1 p.m.).
Lee took the lead at the 15:51 mark in the opening half when Avery Sides delivered a perfect pass into the box and Alaysia Nye headed her shot into the right-corner of the net. It was Nye's fifth goal of the year and Sides first assist.
The margin reached 2-0 deep in the first half (42:16) on freshman Maci Ritzman's first score of her career. Both teams battled inside the box and Ritzman finally got her foot on the ball and nailed it inside the left-side of the net.
The Lady Flames seemed to be in control of the match until some 25 minutes remained. The Tigers became more aggressive and physical. The temperature which read above 90 degrees and it took its toll on both teams. In the 78th minute (78:09) West Alabama got on the board on a goal by Aileen Charles. She was assisted by Emily Djagbare.
The Lee defense, which stood out all afternoon, turned back the charging Tigers to help preserve the victory. Coach Lee Hughes used 17 players in the win and only three played the entire 90 minutes. Seniors Nora Burton and Sides went the distance while sophomore Whitney Carrigan was also asked to go all the way. Nine players recorded 50 minutes or more of action.
The Lady Flames took 15 shots but were able to place only three on target according to the UWA stats. The Tigers fired 11 shots, putting two on goal and scoring once. Lee keeper Abby Whitcomb got credit for her third win of the year and had one save. The Tigers' Yumari Hernandez took the loss and had one save while allowing Lee's two goals.
The Flames fought for five corner kicks and gave up four to West Alabama. The physical contest saw the Tigers whistled for 13 fouls and Lee eight. There were no yellow cards issued in the rugged affair.
Coach Lee Hughes' thoughts:
"Sunday games are always a grind in the GSC. We played really well for 70 minutes and let them back in the game in the last 20. We are certainly excited to be playing back home this coming week!"
