The No. 17 Lee University women’s soccer team controlled nearly every facet of Friday night’s Gulf South Conference (GSC) match against The University of Alabama in Huntsville, but needed a goal by Kelsey Yoder with just over five minutes remaining to record the 1-0 victory. The match was part of the annual Kickin’ It for Kids with Cancer event to benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer.
The Lady Flames (11-4, 10-2 GSC) fired off 34 shots with the 33rd finally finding the back of the net.
Riley Engels sent a cross from the left flank into the center of the penalty area where Yoder slipped her shot past the UAH goalkeeper. It was the freshman’s second goal of the season.
“Riley had a great cross into me and I was able to finish,” said a thankful Yoder. “It just felt amazing to have all my teammates run up (to me). Everybody worked hard for that goal.”
Megan Buford tallied a season-high 12 saves for the Chargers, but was unable to stop the 13th attempt placed on goal. Lee’s Taylor Green was credited with her fourth shutout of the season after seeing the visitor’s lone shot sail wide of the goal. It is the third consecutive and seventh overall shutout for the Lee defense.
“It was an amazing performance,” said Lee head coach Chris Hennessey. “They played so well. Apart from a couple of chances we should have buried in the first half and the second half, there’s nothing I would change.”
The Lady Flames continue to chase the regular season championship and No. 1 seed for the upcoming GSC Tournament. Lee is tied atop the conference with Mississippi College (10-2) and are one point ahead of idle North Alabama (9-2-1). Lee has two conference dates remaining on the schedule. West Alabama visits the Lee Soccer Field on Sunday at 2 p.m., while Shorter serves as the regular season finale on Thurs., Oct. 26.