The Lee women's soccer team posted their second straight shutout and improved to 2-1-1 with a convincing 4-0 victory over host Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) on a near-perfect Sunday afternoon.
The Lady Flames wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard (7:44). Summer Lanter, who scored two of Lee's four goals, used her speed on a breakaway and put the ball into the left side of the net. Kinsey Cichowitz was credited with the assist after picking up an interception and pushing the ball ahead to Lanter.
"We were a little sluggish out of the gate," commented head coach Chris Hennessey.
"In the second half, we played really tough and showed tremendous character in really taking it to them. I'm proud of our girls and it's good to see Summer getting back to full speed after suffering the injury last weekend in Columbus."
After leading only 1-0 at the break, Lee increased its lead to 2-0 in the 47th minute. Cichowitz picked up the ball from just outside the box, juked just past the defender and ripped it into the back of the net. It was her first goal of the season.
The third score came at the 68:48 mark when McKenzie Bricker was awarded a free kick from outside the top of the box. She promptly sent her shot past the goalkeeper for her second goal of the year.
The Lady Flames put a little icing on the victory cake in the 82nd minute. Lanter tallied her second goal of the year when she sent a touch-shot past the challenging keeper and into the right corner of the net. "Our midfielders and forwards are continuing to step up their games and Erin Olson did a solid job in goal for us," said Hennessey.
Lee showed total command by taking 17 shots and placing seven on goal. The Railsplitters were able to manage just nine shots against the Lady Flames' talented defense and four shots were on target. Olson collected four saves in over 78 minutes of playing time, while Taylor Green was in goal for the final 11:22. LMU goalie Kathryn Lundy allowed three goals and collected two saves before being injured. Brooke Taylor allowed the final Lee score.
Hennessey and the Lady Flames will now turn their attention to "a big week". They will host No.1-ranked Columbus State University on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. and will turn right around and challenge Gulf South Conference rival North Alabama on Sunday at 2 p.m. "It's another short turnaround for our team," noted the Lee coach. "We were able to come out of this match without any significant injuries and that should help in our preparation for the week ahead."
Columbus State will bring a 3-0 record to the Lee Soccer Field. The Cougars are just returning from a Florida trip. Their Sunday afternoon contest against ranked Barry (Miami) was cancelled due to heavy rain and lightning in the area.