First year Lee women’s soccer coach Chris Hennessey certainly would have liked a better result but he will chalk up a 2-0 defeat at the hands of a very strong Rollins College team to a learning experience.
The Florida club placed second nationally in NCAA Division II last year and brought another challenging club into the Columbus State Invitational.
"Playing this type of competition was a great learning experience for us,” pointed out Hennessey. “There are definitely areas we need to improve in and we will continue to work hard on those over the course of the season."
Rollins scored what turned out to be the only goal it would need on a very hot afternoon when Emma Bloom played the ball off her chest and chipped it over Lee keeper Haley Gribler.
The hard-fought battle stood at 1-0 at the halftime break but nine minutes deep into the second half, Mora Johnson beat her defender to the corner of the box and blasted her shot into the right side of the net.
The Lady Flames produced several chances and took 17 shots before the afternoon ended but only four were on target.
The Lee defense limited Rollins to 14 shots. However, the winner placed five on goal.
"Although the result wasn't what we hoped for I think there are some positives we can take out of the game,” said Hennessey. “Rollins were a very solid and well coached team and will no doubt prove extremely difficult to beat this year. I think the difference in today's game was they took their chances whereas we didn't.
"We are still a relatively young team while Rollins showed their experience in the games at times,” the coach added. “Haley (Gribler) had a very good game in goal and made some big saves today.” She was credited with three saves. “We will pull ourselves together and get ready for another tough game on Sunday afternoon."
The Lady Flames will face ranked and host Columbus State at 5 p.m.