A series of plays will always be remembered by the 2015 Lee University women's soccer team. They played a crucial role in the Lady Flames huge Gulf South Conference 1-0 double-overtime victory over host West Florida on a cool Friday evening.
With 1:17 remaining in regulation play, Lee goalkeeper Haley Gribler came up with the biggest save of her career when she turned back a penalty kick by the Argos. The play didn't stop there. Lee's back line came up with two more blocks to turn back the furious last-minute assault by West Florida.
Regulation play ended with no score.
It was more of the same in the first 10-minute overtime period. Just over a minute deep into the second OT, Kaela Leskovar drilled a perfect shot into the back of the Argos net. The golden goal gave the Lady Flames the 1-0 victory.
Friday's win moves the Lady Flames to 3-1 in GSC play and 4-3-1 overall. West Florida drops to 2-2 in conference play and 6-3 overall.
"It was a great result," said Lee head coach Chris Hennessey. "West Florida has some very athletic players but our girls played with tremendous discipline and focus. This team is together more than any I've been around in a long time. A lot of our girls are getting healthy again and that showed tonight."
Lee's defenders and keeper Gribler helped keep the determined Lady Flames in the battle from start to finish. The Argos attempted 19 shots and put seven on target. Gribler recorded seven saves. The Lady Flames fired just 10 shots and placed five on target, including the game-winner in the second overtime period. West Florida keeper Ana Chumik posted four saves in the loss.
Hennessey praised the play of his back four. "Laura Thacker, McKenzie Bricker, Megan Newman and Katie Cloud were all outstanding," he noted. "I also have to give our forwards credit. They did an excellent job of controlling the ball."
The Lady Flames will have one day to get over the bruising battle before crossing the bay and testing Spring Hill College (Mobile, Ala.) in another GSC contest on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. Spring Hill will also be coming off a victory. The Badgers defeated Shorter University on Friday, 3-0.
NOTE: The Lady Flames grabbed a share of first place in the GSC when Valdosta State scored a shocking victory over North Alabama on Friday evening.