The NCAA's Division III No.1
-ranked team and the NAIA's No.2
club battled for 110 minutes on a cool Thursday evening and the outcome was almost predictable, a 1-1 tie.
Emory University (10--0-3) extended its regular-season undefeated streak to 38 games, while Lee's Lady Flames (11-1-1) were forced to settle for a tie for the first time this season.
"It was a quality match with two quality teams, playing really well," commented coach Matt Yelton
. "I was proud of the way our girls responded after we dropped behind 1-0 in the first half. We had some good stretches, but it is hard to score against a team as well prepared as Emory."
All the scoring took place in the first 37 minutes. The Eagles got a goal from Emily Feldman at the 8:32 mark. She was assisted by Charlotte Butker
. The Lady Flames tied the contest with just under eight minutes remaining in the opening half. Senior Caroline Scales knocked in the goal on an assist from Ashley Aragona
.
Both teams had six shots in the opening half and the Lady Flames placed five on goal. The Eagles had only two shots on target. Things changed dramatically in the second half and Lee was forced into superior defensive play. Emory finished the evening with 22 shots and nine were on goal. The Atlanta-based team allowed the Lady Flames only 12 shots but six were on goal.
Lee senior goalkeeper Leah Wilson surrendered a goal in the opening half but turned away six shots in the next 65 minutes and completed the evening with eight saves. The Eagles used a pair of goalkeepers and they combined for five saves.
"We played well in stretches tonight and this is likely the beginning of the type of soccer we will face down the stretch," added Yelton
. "We want to close out the final three games of the regular season and be playing our best soccer as we move into tournament play. The team we faced tonight will help us get ready for that competition."
The Lady Flames will return to the Lee Soccer Field on Saturday afternoon and swing back into SSAC
action against Southern Wesleyan University. The kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.