Summer Lanter recorded her second hat trick of the season to lead the Lee University women’s soccer team to a 5-1 defeat of Valdosta State University Friday night in the Gulf South Conference (GSC) semifinal played at the Emory Folmar YMCA. The Lady Flames (15-4) advance to face Mississippi College for the GSC Championship on Sunday at 4 p.m. EST.
Lanter opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Meagan Newman sent a long pass over the defense, where Lanter beat the goalkeeper one-on-one.
Anna Leslie gave Lee a 2-0 lead early in the 34th minute with a put back goal.
Kelsey Yoder’s free kick from 20 yards out bounced off the cross bar and Leslie’s header pinballed between the post and VSU’s goaltender before finding its way across the line.
Mia Hollingsworth picked up her first of two assists a little over a minute into the second half when she found Riley Engels streaking down the left side. Engels placed the ball into the upper-right of the goal for her eighth score of the season. Almost 20 minutes later, Hollingsworth recorded a second assist after her shot was saved and Lanter scored on the rebound.
Lanter completed the hat trick in the 71st minute with a solo effort. The senior dribbled up the middle of the VSU defense and ripped a shot into the left side of the net for her 16th goal of the year. Lanter is now in sole possession of seventh on the Lee career scoring list with 52 goals.
Taylor Snell ended Lee’s shutout bid with a goal off a set play in the 78th minute.
The Lady Flames fired off 11 shots in each half to outshoot the Lady Blazers 22-9. Lee placed 10 shots on goal, while two of VSU’s attempts were on target.
Alyssa Curtis recorded five saves in the loss. Haley Gribler tallied one save to earn the win.