CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Alaysia Nye's goal in the opening five minutes of the game was all the Lee University women's soccer team needed in a 1-0 defensive win over Valdosta State University at Ray Conn Sports Complex on Friday evening. The score was Nye's sixth goal of the season and was assisted by Avery Sides and Grace Berry.

The victory improved the Lady Flames record to 4-1-1 overall and 2-1 in GSC play. The defeat dropped the Lady Blazers to 1-3-3 and 0-2. Lee will return to conference action on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. when they host Auburn University Montgomery.

It was a true defensive battle from start to finish. The Lady Flames allowed the visitors only seven shots and none were on goal. On the other side, Lee had eight shots but just one on goal and it connected for the winning score. Lucy Smith, Whitney Carrigan and of course Nye had the shots for Lee.

Of the seven shots by the Lady Blazers, Sydney Foy and Maria Rojas had two each and Katherine Kimmel had the other. Keeper Claire Timberlake was credited with four saves in taking the loss.

The Lady Flames' defense was led by Nora Burton, Sides and Carrigan. All three played the entire 90 minutes plus goalkeeper Abby Whitcomb played the entire contest and got the win. Midfielders Aubrey Benfield and Berry also played 90 minutes. Overall,
Coach Lee Hughes used 17 players in the victory.

The Lady Flames defense held Valdosta State to no corner kicks and had five of their own. The officials allowed both teams to play freely and 15 fouls were called, seven against the Lady Blazers and eight against Lee.

Coach Lee Hughes' thoughts:
"We didn't play great tonight, but glad we grinded out a result. Happy for Alaysia, she's getting rewarded for all the hard work she is putting in. Taking it one day at a time, our focus turns to tomorrow now. Just going to look to get better!